Body scanners installed at Jersey Airport

Four new body scanners are being installed at Jersey Airport as part of the ongoing upgrade of the security process. This is part of a £3 million project to improve customer facilities and security technology in time for the June 2024 deadline.

Work to install new airport security equipment began earlier this year to meet the requirements of the new system. Since then, three new x-ray machines have been installed, which are now in use.

Head of Security, Maria Le Tiec, said: “We are now installing four body scanners to complete the new security system which will be required of most UK airports from June next year. Two of the new scanners will be in operation from Thursday (23 November), and the remaining two will follow.

“The scanners are safe, non-invasive, and easy to use with the right preparation. Security staff will explain to passengers how they need to prepare for the new scanners, which will go into operation this week.”

The new security technology being rolled out at UK airports is intended to enhance screening of passengers and hand luggage.

How body scanners work
The new body scanners are completely safe and provide an additional layer of security. They use millimetre wave imaging to locate objects on a person that are concealed under clothing.

Millimetre wave imaging offers a superior approach for screening people compared to existing methods such as metal detectors. It works by bouncing millimetre waves off an individual’s skin to produce an outline image of the person’s body, showing any concealed, potentially dangerous objects.

These scanners do not reveal the naked body or the insides of a body. Airport security staff see a generic human shape, much like a gingerbread man, without any identifying features. The generic human shape is the same for every traveller going through an airport scanner.

Images are analysed digitally within the equipment, so the millimetre wave image of the passenger is never seen, stored, printed or transmitted. The scanner is programmed so that no image can be retained, printed or transmitted.

Can I opt out of going through the body scanners?
Anyone who does not wish to be screened by a security scanner will need to be searched by hand instead. This alternative screening method will take longer than going through a security scanner.

Preparing for a body scanner

• Empty pockets of everything – including tissues, passports, phones, and boarding passes
• Remove belts, digital watches and chunky jewellery
• The machines can scan people who are 1-2 metres in height. Anyone outside these parameters will need to be searched by hand

Preparing for Security:

• Remove outdoor clothing, boots and any shoes that reach above the ankle
• Laptops, tablets and or other electronic devices can remain in hand luggage for screening. If you have more than one electrical device, please place other device(s) in a separate tray
• Passengers can carry up to 2 litre containers of liquids, aerosols, and gels through airport security in their hand baggage. All liquid containers must be closed (i.e a take-away coffee cup is not permitted)
• Hand luggage will sometimes require further screening
• All other security rules on prohibited items remain unchanged
• UK airports have until June 2024 to upgrade their screening equipment and processes. Until then, passengers should check the security arrangements at any other airports they will be travelling through

You can find more details about how to prepare for Security at Jersey Airport and how to prepare for the body scanners on our website.