ABTA ENCOURAGES MEMBERS TO ADVISE CUSTOMERS ON NEW SECURITY DEVELOPMENTS
Date published: 02 February 2010ABTA the Travel Association is advising Members on the introduction of body scanners at Heathrow and Manchester airports today, following the Transport Secretary of State Lord Adonis’ written ministerial statement presented to the House of Commons.
The ministerial statement confirmed that the scanners were introduced at Heathrow and Manchester airports this week and that they will be introduced at Birmingham airport this month, with roll-out at other airports in the coming months.
The Secretary of State for Transport announced that while the security situation has meant that the introduction of the scanners has gone ahead, the Government will consult publicly on their use.
“In the immediate future, only a small proportion of airline passengers will be affected by the new scanners,” said ABTA’s Chief Executive Mark Tanzer. “Passengers need to be confident when they fly. It is important that new security measures are introduced proportionately and correctly so that the privacy and dignity of passengers are not compromised. We will continue to help our members to inform their customers of any new developments, so that they know what to expect when they arrive at airports.”
The Department of Transport has introduced an Interim Code of Practice covering privacy, health and safety, data protection and equality issues, and will launch a public consultation on the use of scanners prior to preparing a Final Code of Practice later in the year.
The key points in the Interim Code are:
• A person selected for screening may request the screen reader is of the same sex
• The screener must not be able to see the person whose image they are screening
• Immediately the scanning analysis is completed and the passenger moves away, all images must be destroyed
• Staff undertaking the screening must be properly trained
• If a passenger selected for screening declines to be screened, they will not be allowed to fly
• Passengers must not be selected on the basis of personal characteristics i.e. gender, age, race or ethnic origin
The Interim Code of Practice can be found at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/security/aviation/airport/bodyscanners/codeofpractice/pdf/cop.pdf
For further information
Sean Tipton, Senior Press Officer, tel: 020 3117 0513,
Frances Tuke, Public Relations Manager, tel: 020 3117 0514, Mobile 07850 712 325,
Casia Zajac, Head of Communications, tel: 020 3117 0515, Mobile: 07545 927 411
Out of Hours: Contact the Duty Press Officer via pager: 07659 190 987
E-mail: press@abta.co.uk
Web: www.abta.com
Notes to editors
ABTA – The Travel Association was founded in 1950 and currently has 1,351 members with 5,700 outlets. Members include travel agents, tour operators and support services right across the spectrum from small family-owned businesses to the largest tour operators.
ABTA is the largest travel association in the UK and its members provide 90% of the foreign package holidays in the UK as well as selling millions of independent travel arrangements.
In 2008 ABTA merged with the Federation of Tour Operators [FTO], thereby cementing its role as the leading travel association and increasing benefits for both ABTA and FTO members. Both the ABTA brand which is highly recognised by consumers and the FTO brand which is well known in destinations will be retained.
As part of its comprehensive package of services to members, ABTA, as a non-party political organisation works to represent the interests of its Members to government and key opinion formers in the UK and EU.
