The Council of the European Union has approved two new regulations aimed at enhancing border security and combating terrorism and serious crime. These measures introduce updated protocols for collecting and transferring advanced passenger information (API) from airlines, marking a significant step in securing the EU’s external borders.
Enhanced Data Sharing Requirements
Under the new regulations, airlines must provide authorities with passenger data—such as travel document details, flight information, and baggage data—before passengers reach the EU’s external borders. This advance data transmission will enable authorities to conduct pre-arrival checks, assess security risks, and take proactive measures. The system is designed to streamline border processes while ensuring any necessary security interventions are handled before passengers enter the EU.
Closing Security “Blind Spots”
The new measures aim to address gaps in the detection and prevention of cross-border criminal activities. By linking API data with Passenger Name Record (PNR) data, authorities will be better equipped to track and prevent the movement of criminals and terrorists within the EU.
Hungarian Minister for Home Affairs Sándor Pintér praised the development, stating:
“We cannot afford any blind spots about air passengers arriving in the EU. Thanks to the two laws adopted today, law enforcement authorities and border guards will get more accurate and timely advance information about everyone on EU-bound flights.”
Centralised Data Sharing System
A new centralised data transmission system, or “router,” will be established to improve data accuracy and reduce administrative burdens on airlines. Automated systems will become mandatory for sending API data, although a transitional period will allow for manual data collection if necessary.
Why These Changes Are Necessary
With over half a billion air passengers traveling to or from the EU in 2019, air travel plays a critical role in cross-border crime and terrorism prevention. The new regulations address gaps in existing laws and standardise the collection and processing of API and PNR data, ensuring authorities have timely access to crucial information.
Implementation Timeline
The regulations will take effect 20 days after their formal publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, replacing the 2004 Advance Passenger Information Directive. As a next step, EU-LISA, the EU agency managing IT systems for security and justice, along with member states and the European Commission, will prepare the centralized data router for operational use.
These updates mark a significant stride in the EU’s efforts to bolster its security framework and improve border management in an increasingly interconnected world.
