For passengers travelling to/from the U.K.

For passengers travelling to/from the U.K.

In response to the Christmas Day attack on Northwest airlines flight 253 to Detroit; body scanners are being introduced at Heathrow Airport in line with UK Government requirements which state the following:
"For the benefit of all passengers' security, passengers may be required to be screened using body scanning equipment. Screening will be conducted by security officers acting on behalf of the airport operator. Images of passengers will not be saved."

A small proportion of airline passengers will be selected for scanning. If a passenger is selected for scanning, and declines, he/she will not be permitted to fly. The Interim Code of Practice requires airports to undertake scanning sensitively, with due regard to the rights of passengers: “Passengers must not be selected on the basis of personal characteristics (i.e. on a basis that may constitute discrimination such as gender, age, race or ethnic origin)."

Links:
The Department for Transportation information on body scanners:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/security/aviation/airport/securityscanners/information/