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Trials with two full-body scanners have now been launched at Hamburg Airport. Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière was the first to test the new scanners during a visit.

In Germany, field trials of full-body scanners have begun. Two scanners are to be tested, probably over a six-month period, at Hamburg Airport as part of the security checks. The scanners should make it possible to identify hidden weapons or explosives carried by passengers. During the trials use of the scanners will be on a voluntary basis.
 

A boon for security
 
The Federal Interior Minister expressed his satisfaction. "Today marks an important step on the way towards improved security at German airports." Three major preconditions had to be met before the new equipment was introduced. The authorities had to be convinced that the scanners are in no way detrimental to the health of passengers, individual rights had to be respected, and there had to be a benefit in terms of increased security.
 
No body images
 
The scanners do not generate any images of the individual human body. They simply show where items have been identified on a sort of "stick man”, which is identical for every passenger. No data generated by the scanners is saved.
 
Citizens can find out more about the issue online. Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière will be answering questions on airport security on 20 October 2010. On its website the Federal Ministry of the Interior offers a forum for questions.