Female travelers denied flying after refusing to undergo full body scan

One of the women, who was thought to be Muslim, cited religious reasons, while the other cited health grounds.

The two passengers were supposed to fly to Islamabad on 19 February when they were chosen at random to go through the full body scanning machine.

The women were cautioned they were legally required to go through the scanner, or else they would not be allowed to board the plane, an airport spokesman said.

A Manchester Airport spokesman said: "Two female passengers who were booked to fly out of Terminal 2 refused to be scanned for medical and religious reasons.

"In accordance with the government directive on scanners, they were not permitted to fly."

The women eventually skipped their flight and left the airport.