Airport security

Study: Scanners pose little risk

Full-body scanners used for security screening at the nation’s airports do not expose passengers to dangerous levels of radiation, according to a new independent analysis of the devices.

The study by the Marquette University College of Engineering concluded that radiation from so-called backscatter scanners is considerably lower than those of other X-ray procedures.

The study, believed to be the first independent review of the scanners, is not likely to put to rest years of heated debate over the health risk of the machines operated by the Transportation Security Administration.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, questioned the Marquette study because it was based on data provided by the TSA: “We do not truly know the risk of this radiation exposure over multiple screenings, for frequent fliers, those in vulnerable groups, or TSA’s own employees operating the machines.”

Airlines

New service

Dutch Antilles Express has launched daily nonstop service between Miami International Airport to Curaçao.

American Airlines said it will begin nonstop service between Miami and Asuncion, Paraguay on Nov. 15. The flight will operate four days a week.

Car rentals

Rates may rise soon

Daily car rental rates for the first three months of the year were down nearly 5 percent compared with the same period last year.

The average daily car rental rate dropped to $40.92 this year from $42.89 a year earlier, according to a study by Travel Leaders Corporate, a travel management company in Florida.

But the price break might be temporary. Rental companies started the year with a larger fleets than usual. As cars are sold off by the companies, the fleets will return to more normal levels this summer. As the supply gets more limited, prices could climb.

Airlines

Betting times

In the “What will they think of next?” department, two European discount airlines have come up with a way for their passengers to bet against the chances of their flight arriving on time.

For 24 euros ($30), Air Baltic will give you a voucher worth double what you paid for your ticket, including fuel surcharges, if its flight arrives at your destination more than an hour late.

For 10 euros ($13), Wizz Air, based in Budapest, gives passengers a 100 euro ($130) credit on flights delayed two or more hours. Miami Herald

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