CHARTER
carriers are warning of delays or price hikes for package holidaymakers as
European Union countries start demanding more information about inbound
passengers, writes Emily Williamson.
Concerns
over new Advanced Passenger Information System requests from EU countries come
as charter airlines withdraw their threat to boycott airports in Portugal
during Euro 2004 due to data requests from Portuguese authorities.
EU
states are soon expected to start requesting that APIS data is sent to them
before a flight arrives.
The
International Air Carrier Association – whose members include Britannia, First
Choice Airways, MyTravel Airways and Thomas Cook Airlines – is warning of
problems collecting the data. For example, airports at destinations such as The
Gambia and the Caribbean do not have the technology or constant power supply to
send the information electronically.
IACA
director of aeropolitical and industry affairs Koen Vermeir said requests
should be reduced to a minimum. First Choice Holidays head of aviation
regulation Eddie Redfern added if carriers have to pay to implement systems to
send data, the cost could be passed on to holidaymakers.
Britannia
director of industry affairs Colin Sharples said it could cause data protection
problems and operators could poach customers if agents give out information.
“Agents
are concerned airlines and operators would contact the client direct.”
Meanwhile,
the IACA had said it could be forced to boycott Portuguese airports during Euro
2004 after Portuguese authorities asked for APIS data 48 hours before each
flight. However, Vermeir said it is now a voluntary requirement.