Aer Lingus: API enhances seamless travel experience

39 countries now require airlines to send API

32 more countries plans to introduce API

Access to PNR in the works in 30 countries

IATA to issue new standards for PNR and API

Standard data formats essential to deliver API data

IATA explores new approaches to providing passenger data to governments

Dubai, UAE, March 11, 2015: A senior official of one of Europe's oldest airlines asserted that the Advance Passenger Information (API) enhances the seamless travel experience and airlines expect API requirement to grow in the near future.

Fergus Wilson, Chief Operating Officer, Aer Lingus, the national flag carrier of Ireland, said the 78-year-old airline currently collects API from passengers flying to and or from  the US, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic and Turkey.

Speaking about API from an airline perspective at the Future of Borders International Conference in Dubai today, he said the technology-oriented airline provides opportunity for its customers to provide API across many channels- web, mobile, self-service and check-in.

The conference has been organised by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group. 

According to IATA, Facilitation is the concept of reducing unnecessary regulation and improving inspection procedures to expedite the movement of people and goods over international boundaries.

Over the years, more and more governments require that airlines transmit API or PNR data, too often in "non-standard and inefficient ways". IATA has developed an API-PNR Toolkit in partnership with ICAO and the World Customs Organization (WCO).

As of now, 30 countries now require airlines to send API before the flight's arrival. Another 32 countries are planning to introduce similar requirements in the near future, IATA said.   API information usually consists of data found in the MRZ of passports and other travel documents (full name, date or birth, gender, passport number, country of citizenship, country of passport issuance).

However, some countries require information that cannot be machine-read. IATA's aim is to ensure that all countries requiring API-type data harmonize their requirements with global standards and guidelines.

Access to Passenger Name Records (PNR) is required in six countries today and in the works in 30 more countries. PNR contain data provided by travelers at the time of booking, sometimes months before their flight, and are held in airlines' reservation systems until the flight is open for check-in.

However, most legislations state that personal data such as contained in PNR should only be used for the purposes it was given, unless explicitly authorized by the data subject, should not be kept for an excessive amount of time and must only be seen by those that have a need to see it. IATA is keen to see a global solution to this growing issue of access to PNR.

Guidelines for API already exist through a joint effort by ICAO, WCO and IATA. ICAO's Annex 9 dealing with Facilitation encourages Member-States to follow these guidelines.

IATA is working on new standards for PNR, XML formats for API, interactive API and revised guidelines for the implementation of PNR data regimes. IATA is investigating new approaches to providing passenger data to governments, leveraging technology to reduce costs and seeking added value to both passengers and airlines.

Fergus Wilson said Smart applications are linked to API in Aer Lingus. API is collected once for the entire journey through a single collection point   and data is maintained for the full itinerary.

He announced that the new passport card which will be implemented for use by Irish citizens travelling to Europe from July this year will contain MRZ for API collection.

Current and future API/ PNR demand, he said there has been a continuing demand from countries for provision of API rarely in standard formats used by ICAO, WCO and IATA.

He added: "Standard data formats are essential for airlines to deliver data with faster implementation time, cost efficient, compliant, consistent and accurate data and little effect on airport infrastructure. Recent security incidents in Europe have reopened the debate on PNR data provision."  

The industry veteran said Air Lingus has redesigned web platform to optimize and personalize communication and passenger profile data and build and maintain customer trust and loyalty.  

He concluded: "Airlines expect the requirement for API to grow. Standard format request are key to fast, cost efficient, accurate and reliable data provision. Aer Lingus IT systems are set up for provision of API in the standard format."

Dublin Airport is the only major airport in Europe to offer US preclearance, which enables passengers to save time on arrival in the US by completing all the necessary immigration and customs checks prior to departure. Aer Lingus offer connections to seven US destinations. With a fleet of 61 aircraft, the airline carried over 11 million passengers last year to 70 destinations across Ireland, UK, Continental Europe and the US.

For further information please visit the conference website: www.futureofborders.ae

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© Press Release 2015