ADVANCE PASSENGER INFORMATION- WTF?

[blueyes]

Advance passenger information (passport number, start and end dates, date of birth, issuing country etc) has been required for flights to Spain.

I just booked a flight to Italy with Sleazyjet and the site was asking for API details.

I emailed customer services and this is their reply:

" would like to inform you that few more Additional Passenger Information (API) details need to be added in the booking. Passengers travelling on flights from non-Schengen countries (i.e. UK, Switzerland, Morocco and Egypt) will need to provide some Additional Passenger Information (API) when travelling to Spain.

Since all European countries need to be in line with the EU regulation regarding advance passenger data, we will have new routes from/to UK where APIs are requested to be added.

From the 04th February 2009, we have started to collect advance passengers data in relation to all flights from/to UK of all countries listed below.

Cyprus
France
Germany
Gibraltar
Italy
Malta
Netherlands
Spain (incl Canary Islands)
Turkey
Morocco


Is the bit in bold true?
Has anybody travelling with other airlines experienced this?
What is the idea behind it?


Nothing to hide/nothing to fear or more data collection (tinfoil hat at the ready)?

[DrTre]

guy at work booked with Ryanair two days ago and had the same thing.

[hollypop]

Been like this for a year or so with Spanish flights.

Edited by hollypop on Wednesday 18th February 10:15

[pikey]

I've just asked my wife who flew to Spain on Monday via BA and she said she never had to do any of that.

Weird.

Perhaps it's an EasyJet / Ryanair thing?

[bigandclever]

Don't know about the EU bit, but could it be related to the e-Borders programme, which suggests 'they' will be tracking 95% of all cross-border movements electronically by the end of next year.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/managingborders/...

Edited by bigandclever on Wednesday 18th February 10:19

[glazbagun]

pikey said:

I've just asked my wife who flew to Spain on Monday via BA and she said she never had to do any of that.

Weird.

Perhaps it's an EasyJet / Ryanair thing?

Until last year I checked in flights to loads of places. The Spanish flights have required API info for years- sometimes it would already be there in the booking, but if it wasnt, we'd just add it ourselves at checkin. IIRC- p/p number, date of birth, nationality and something else- with modern passports, you just swipe them. If it was one of those Spanish I.D cards, you'd have to manually enter it all. I'd guess that's what the BA staff do.

A couple of months before I left, I know we started doing it for other destinations EU, though I cant remember which, so yeah- sounds legit.

[blueyes]

I had a look at the e-borders thing and its aims:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/managingborders/...

.keep a comprehensive record of everyone who crosses our border;
.strengthen the security of those who live in and visit our country;
.make it easier for those who are travelling and trading legitimately; and
.maintain tight control of our border.

Blah blah blah!... it's all about YOUR security.... anti-terrorism... etc

Then further down the page here's the REAL reason-

"help identify those who avoid paying tax by claiming to be resident outside the United Kingdom;"

And the really funny bit:

The information will be kept for no more than 10 years. It will be protected in keeping with the Data Protection Act and appropriate security controls will ensure it is not used or accessed incorrectly. It will be given only to organisations that are legally authorised to receive it and that need it to carry out their official duties.


Feckin hilarious!

How long before we get a tracking tag implanted at birth?

Kents!

[pikey]

They missed "it will be copied onto a memory stick and left on a train"

[Salgar]

Yeah I've had to do this for my last few flights out of the country.

I even heard of a case with Ryanair where someone transposed two of the numbers on his passport and they wouldn't let him fly when he got to the airport.

[Engineer1]

blueyes said:

Blah blah blah!... it's all about YOUR security.... anti-terrorism... etc

Then further down the page here's the REAL reason-

"help identify those who avoid paying tax by claiming to be resident outside the United Kingdom;"

And the really funny bit:

The information will be kept for no more than 10 years. It will be protected in keeping with the Data Protection Act and appropriate security controls will ensure it is not used or accessed incorrectly. It will be given only to organisations that are legally authorised to receive it and that need it to carry out their official duties.



How long before we get a tracking tag implanted at birth?

Kents!

Beacuse we aren't a large Island where someone could leave or enter by boat from a small port or seaside town...

[oldbanger]

This appears to apply to all international flights now. When did that happen?

http://www.bmibaby.com/bmibaby/en/index.aspx?p=172...

[quote]Important information for ALL passengers travelling to and from the UK on an international flight

Due to security measures from the UK Government, all airlines are required to provide advance passenger information (API or APIS) for all passengers travelling to and from the UK on an international flight. API requires Passport/valid photo ID information to be captured prior to travel. Failure to give APIS information will result in passengers not being permitted to travel.

To ensure the security measures are addressed in the most efficient and precise manner, each passenger must provide this information online prior to arriving at the airport and at least 3 hours before the standard time of departure. It is the responsibility of the passenger to ensure that the information provided is correct. ...
[/quote]

[Wings]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnist...

[rich_vw]

Do you need to do one if heading to the states and you've already filled in one of them visa weiver things???

[ali_kat]

oldbanger said:

This appears to apply to all international flights now. When did that happen?

http://www.bmibaby.com/bmibaby/en/index.aspx?p=172...

[quote]Important information for ALL passengers travelling to and from the UK on an international flight

Due to security measures from the UK Government, all airlines are required to provide advance passenger information (API or APIS) for all passengers travelling to and from the UK on an international flight. API requires Passport/valid photo ID information to be captured prior to travel. Failure to give APIS information will result in passengers not being permitted to travel.

To ensure the security measures are addressed in the most efficient and precise manner, each passenger must provide this information online prior to arriving at the airport and at least 3 hours before the standard time of departure. It is the responsibility of the passenger to ensure that the information provided is correct. ...

Hmm, I flew to Tenerife last Friday with Thomas Cook, and back yesterday with Monarch.

TC didn't even have this as an option (although you could pre-book food - NB the diabetic meal is FAR nicer!). Monarch gave it you as an option to complete (not compulsory).