As from Wednesday 13 June 2007, all British passengers flying to Spain will need to comply with a new Advance Passenger Information system which is being introduced by the Spanish government. This API system involves supplying your full name, nationality, date of birth and passport number before travel. If this information is not supplied to your airline or tour operator in advance, it will have to be collected manually by check-in staff on the day of travel. Airlines face fines up to £40,000 per passenger if API information is not properly collected and processed. Warnings are being given that passengers could face delays at check-in while the information is collected, that they could be denied boarding if they refuse to provide it, and that they could face immigration problems in Spain if there are any irregularities.
There is already a lot of media speculation and scaremongering about massive flight delays and a summer of holiday chaos, etc as a result of API measures. But as long as passengers are prepared to supply the information and adhere to minimum check-in times, that speculation should hopefully prove unfounded.
Some airlines and tour operators have made adjustments to their websites and are now asking for the information at the time of booking, or are allowing passengers to update existing bookings before the day of travel. But those without that technology in place will need to collect the information manually at the airport.
If you are already booked to fly to Spain from 13 June onwards, it may be worth checking with your airline or tour operator to see if any facilities are in place to collect this information before travel.
Spain is the first country in Europe to implement this API system, but it will be introduced in other nations during the next 12 months as part of enhanced aviation security and anti-terrorism measures.
For more info and discussion, please click here.
David
