My Holiday Expert

Manchester airport has beefed up the security team that operates its body scanners following the government’s decision to make the safety procedure mandatory.

The airport now employs six staff instead of four to operate the machine in Terminal Two. The move is designed to ensure any passengers who are concerned about the technology can be reassured of its safety and their privacy.

Spokesman Russell Craig said up to 500 passengers — about 5% of the terminal’s total daily footfall — were now screened each day, after the government made the safety measure mandatory at both Manchester and Heathrow airports on February 1.

“To date we’ve had no refusals from passengers,” said Craig.

“We’ve had the additional staff helping out so when people say they’re a bit worried, rather than just march them out of the building we can talk to them about it, show them the process and allay a lot of their fears.