BORDER CONTROL & IMMIGRATION

Since the events of 11 September 2001, a number of proposals have come forward from the UK and foreign governments to impose greater controls on borders and help prevent terrorism.

This has resulted primarily in provision of advance information (passport, PNR data and sometimes additional items) to foreign governments. Currently, the USA requires passenger data to be transmitted electronically 30 minutes before departure, either individually by passenger or in batches. The USA's Secure Flight, which will require full name, date of birth, gender and redress number (where appropriate) to be transmitted a minimum of 72 hours in advance of departure and preferably at point of sale, will apply to international flights in late 2009 which will require upstream capture.

In the UK, the E-Borders programme has been set up to help create an integrated and secure border for the 21st century, using new technology to manage more people, more efficiently and more securely through our borders. It requires the collection and transmission of detailed information for all passengers intending to exit or enter the UK, prior to boarding an aircraft. E-Borders is being implemented on a country-by-country basis with the first wave in spring 2009. Maritime, Eurostar and Eurotunnel passengers will be included from 2010.

The EU proposal on Passenger Name Records (PNRs) provides for standard passport and PNR data to be collected to the extent available. This will apply to flights into and out of the EU and not intra-EU.

ABTA’s Position

While we understand Governments’ desires to exercise tighter border controls, we are concerned at the extent of some of the proposals which will require additional work (and cost) by principals and agents which will inevitably be passed on to passengers, particularly as there is little gain for the aviation industry. We want achievable solutions which will not add significantly to check-in times. ABTA is working with the scheduled and charter airlines, ferry companies and operators in pushing for simple, standard EU-wide solutions. On the global front, the trade is pushing for data to be limited to that currently readily available, e.g. contained in the passport machine readable zone/biometric chip, which can be collected at check-in by scanning or swiping the passport, with at least six months’ lead time for new countries requiring data. Upstream collection through GDSs, or charter airlines or tour operators’ systems, may become the norm and consideration is being given by ABTA with the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and the Charter Airline Group as to how this might best be facilitated.

Last updated: 19 January 2009