Advanced Passenger Information

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Cheap Holidays and Travel>Information>Advanced Passenger Information (API) is here to Stay

Advanced Passenger Information (API) is here to Stay

What is it and how will it affect you?

The Spanish Government is the first European country to impose an Advanced Passenger Information regime which was adopted by the US Federal Authorities following 9/11.

If you are travelling to Spain you now MUST comply with this law, which has been imposed upon all air carriers flying into to Spanish destinations. This means that they have to forward on to the Spanish Authorities certain personal information about all travellers to Spain.

This information is normally collected at check in but this new rule requires for this information to be sent in advance of check in and supplied to the Spanish Authorities prior to departure. This information is known as Advance Passenger Information [API or APIS Data].

What information will be required and sent?
This information will be contained on your passport page containing your photograph, which will include:-

Your Full Name
Date of Birth
Place of Birth
Passport Number

What will this information be used for by the Spanish authorities?
It will be used by the Spanish Authorities for Law Enforcement purposes and enable them to check against international criminal databases, such as Interpol and other agencies, to verify who intends to travel to their country.

It may well be used to inform the air carrier in advance to 'block' anyone boarding the aircraft and to prevent them from flying if the Spanish authorities decide that person or persons are not suitable to enter their country, rather than doing so at the point of entry.

When do these requirements come into force?
The full API Advanced Passenger Information regime comes into full effect as from the 19th of June 2007.

What if I have made my booking already?
Some airlines have made provision to collect this data already and may have already contacted you requesting you to complete the details by going to a specially set up website to enter your details online. If you have not heard anything from your airline or agent you must contact them prior to arriving at the airport.

We strongly recommend you to submit your details online if you are able to, as this will minimise the possible disruption and delays at the check-in.

This information must be submitted to the Spanish authorities prior to the departure of any aircraft and will be either collected at check in or, preferably, in advance. This will reduce likely delays for departure, as not everyone arrives at the airport in plenty of time and your flight will not be permitted to leave until all of this data has been forwarded to the Spanish authorities.

New Bookings will require this information
When you make a new booking, either at your travel agent or online, you will require your passports to complete the booking.

Can I expect Delays at the Airports?
This is possible and most likely until this new regulation is commonplace. It is advised that all travellers, whether you intend to travel to Spain by air, ship or car, allow for additional time to complete this process at the check-in.

But I am not a UK Passport holder, does this apply to me?
Yes, this Advanced Passenger Information ruling applies to EVERYONE that is travelling to Spain, regardless of your nationality.

But I have travelled recently to Spain from France and I was not asked for this information
The API requirements do NOT apply to flights for passengers travelling to Spain from countries within the Schengen Free Travel Area. The Countries that have signed up to the Schengen agreement are: - Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Greece, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland. The UK Government has NOT agreed to join the Schengen agreement and therefore falls outside of this exemption and the API requirements are necessary.

If you want to find out more about The Schengen Agreement click here.

If I refuse to give this information will I still be permitted to fly?
In short, the likely answer to that question is NO, as it is a legal requirement for the airlines travelling from the UK to Spain to provide this API information in advance BEFORE the flight is given clearance to take off. If you refuse to give this information the Airline will most likely refuse to permit you to fly on their aircraft. Passenger manifestos must match and be complete prior to departure. If you are in any way concerned about this you must notify your airline before you arrive at the check-in.

In conclusion, this measure applies to all passengers flying to Spain from outside of the Schengen Free Travel Area and not just the UK, so it applies to all passengers around the world outside of the Schengen countries listed above.

Written on: 20th July 2007