Two Pak women barred from boarding plane for refusing UK airport body scan

Manchester, Mar 4(ANI): Two Pakistani women were barred from boarding a flight to Islamabad after they refused to undergo a full-body scan at Manchester Airport, citing religious and medical reasons.

According to reports, the women were warned that they would not be permitted to board their Pakistan International Airlines flight if they refused to undergo the scan. But the duo decided to forfeit their tickets rather than submit to the scan.

The action was taken despite a British Transportation Security Administration assurance that going through scanners is optional.

The two women are the first passengers to refuse scanning by machines. Scanning has provoked controversy among British human rights groups.

"Two female passengers who were booked to fly out of Terminal Two refused to be scanned for medical and religious reasons. In accordance with the government directive on scanners, they were not permitted to fly," The Times quoted a Manchester Airport spokeswoman, as saying.

"Body scanning is a big change for customers who are selected under the new rules and we are aware that privacy concerns are on our customers' minds, which is why we have put strict procedures to reassure them that their privacy will be protected," she added. (ANI)