European airport trade body ACI Europe welcomes the European Commission Communication to the Council and European Parliament on the use of security scanners at EU airports as an objective and balanced report covering technical issues, the protection of fundamental rights and the health of passengers.

However, ACI Europe reiterates its position that security scanners should not be introduced as a mandatory means of screening and that the choice of screening method be left to a decision of the industry and appropriate authorities following a thorough risk analysis and assessment.

ACI Europe believes that security scanners could improve the quality of security controls at EU airports and could enhance the passenger experience; goals that Europe’s airports strive to achieve.  Noting that security scanners typically cost between 100.000 euros and 170.000 euros, to which training and other deployment costs need to be added, any mandatory requirement for deployment at the national or EU level should include related national or EU financing.

ACI Europe further believes that security scanners should be included (under the PRAC Regulation) as an additional method of screening that can be used individually or in combination, as a primary or secondary means; this should be reflected in EU regulations as soon as possible.  Similarly, any proposed operational conditions to be laid down in EU legislation should concentrate on the code of conduct for operations only.

ACI Europe  is fully committed to providing a constructive industry perspective and input in any subsequent discussions at EU level and stands ready to assist in the development of an appropriate legal framework.