The Netherlands hopes to conduct safety checks using special ‘see-through’ security scanners on air passengers bound for any destinations. Currently, these scanners are only used on flights bound for the US.

More from NRC International

EU countries are currently at liberty to deploy the scanners as they see fit, but Mr Hirsch Ballin pushed for European regulations on the matter, saying they would do much to improve the efficiency of security checks and provide clarity for passengers. The European commission hopes to propose regulations governing their usage to EU countries this spring.  

All flights
According to Mr Hirsch Ballin, the security scanners should become mandatory at all European airports. Not all of his colleagues are fully convinced they should be. They want to await the results of a study into the scanners' health and privacy concerns. According to Hirsch Ballin, his colleagues were "mostly interested" in Dutch experiences with the technology.

Germany, which initially had its reservations, is said to be starting experiments with the scanners soon. As soon as a European agreement has been reached, the Netherlands intends to start a phased introduction of the scanners on all flights from the Netherlands. First all flights bound for the US will be affected (requiring 75 scanners in all), the scanners will then be deployed on all intercontinental flights, and finally all intra-European flights. Minister Hirsch Ballin was unable to determine the number of scanners this would require.

Air traffic security is at the top of the international agenda since a Nigerian man tried to blow up an airplane travelling from Amsterdam to Detroit last Christmas. This, in part, explained the presence at the meeting of the US Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano.

Software for privacy
According to Ms Napolitano, it was obvious terrorists were plotting new strikes on aircraft. She called the scanners "useful" in combating terrorist attacks, but said the exchange of passenger data was just as important.

According to Mr Hirsch Ballin, a test has shown that the would-be bomber would "very probably" have been caught if he had been scanned using the new equipment. Like Secretary Napolitano, he said that new computer programmes would be able to protect passengers' privacy. Improved software would allow for a "schematic" display of the naked human body. Research by a Dutch government agency is said to have shown no ill effects on health.

The US currently has 40 security scanners in use at their airports. Ms Napolitano said it hopes to extend that number to 450 this year.