Latest news with #AdvancePassengerInformationSystem
Sydney Morning Herald
20-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
More than basic details: What border officials know about you
'I have been wondering about what information is actually contained in your passport data,' writes Traveller reader Judi LeVine of Manly, NSW. 'In the past it seems as though the immigration people have spent a rather long time staring at their screens after they have scanned my passport and I am wondering what they are looking at? Is all of your past travel history there to peruse or is there other information about your identity or some other history?' The answer is, all of the above, plus a whole lot more that you probably wouldn't expect. If you want a short answer, it's not so much what immigration officers can see about you, but what they can't. What an immigration officer sees when they scan your passport In a typical case, the officer has access to the chip embedded in an e-passport, the Passenger Name Record (PNR) submitted by an airline and information from security databases. Passport details include the traveller's full name, date and place of birth, nationality, passport number, issuing state, expiry date and a digitised copy of the passport holder's photo. They can also see the traveller's visa type, validity dates and any refusal-of-entry records or previous overstays. Meanwhile, the camera at the immigration booth compares the image of the passenger with the one stored in the chip and makes a match or no-match response. In some countries, including the US, European Union nations and Australia, the immigration officer can also see every recorded entry and exit to the country, and overstays, remarks and, in the case of the EU, days remaining under the Schengen area's 90-day rule. The security database is sourced from Interpol, national watch lists and terrorism and criminal databases. The secrets your PNR number holds Loading The PNR is the six-digit string of characters and numbers, also known as a booking reference number or record locator, that a passenger is assigned when they make an airline booking. Far more than just a record of a flight booking, the PNR links to a trough of information. Much of that information overlaps with what is available from the passport chip, but there's more data relating to the traveller's movements including all flight segments on that booking with dates and times, connecting flights and seat numbers, fare class, how the passenger paid for their ticket, the number of checked bags, the source of the booking, travel agent contact information, meal preference, visa information, travel authorisations and names of other passengers travelling on the same reservation and email address. Most commercial airlines will send the PNR records of all passengers on a flight to the destination country some 48 to 72 hours before a flight departure. The PNR record also links to Advance Passenger Information System (API) data, which backs up some of the PNR data but may also include more granular details, such as a traveller's destination address in some countries. API data is collected at the check-in desk or before boarding an international flight. Australia was an early adopter, requiring airlines to send API data as early as 2000.
The Age
20-07-2025
- The Age
More than basic details: What border officials know about you
'I have been wondering about what information is actually contained in your passport data,' writes Traveller reader Judi LeVine of Manly, NSW. 'In the past it seems as though the immigration people have spent a rather long time staring at their screens after they have scanned my passport and I am wondering what they are looking at? Is all of your past travel history there to peruse or is there other information about your identity or some other history?' The answer is, all of the above, plus a whole lot more that you probably wouldn't expect. If you want a short answer, it's not so much what immigration officers can see about you, but what they can't. What an immigration officer sees when they scan your passport In a typical case, the officer has access to the chip embedded in an e-passport, the Passenger Name Record (PNR) submitted by an airline and information from security databases. Passport details include the traveller's full name, date and place of birth, nationality, passport number, issuing state, expiry date and a digitised copy of the passport holder's photo. They can also see the traveller's visa type, validity dates and any refusal-of-entry records or previous overstays. Meanwhile, the camera at the immigration booth compares the image of the passenger with the one stored in the chip and makes a match or no-match response. In some countries, including the US, European Union nations and Australia, the immigration officer can also see every recorded entry and exit to the country, and overstays, remarks and, in the case of the EU, days remaining under the Schengen area's 90-day rule. The security database is sourced from Interpol, national watch lists and terrorism and criminal databases. The secrets your PNR number holds Loading The PNR is the six-digit string of characters and numbers, also known as a booking reference number or record locator, that a passenger is assigned when they make an airline booking. Far more than just a record of a flight booking, the PNR links to a trough of information. Much of that information overlaps with what is available from the passport chip, but there's more data relating to the traveller's movements including all flight segments on that booking with dates and times, connecting flights and seat numbers, fare class, how the passenger paid for their ticket, the number of checked bags, the source of the booking, travel agent contact information, meal preference, visa information, travel authorisations and names of other passengers travelling on the same reservation and email address. Most commercial airlines will send the PNR records of all passengers on a flight to the destination country some 48 to 72 hours before a flight departure. The PNR record also links to Advance Passenger Information System (API) data, which backs up some of the PNR data but may also include more granular details, such as a traveller's destination address in some countries. API data is collected at the check-in desk or before boarding an international flight. Australia was an early adopter, requiring airlines to send API data as early as 2000.
Gulf Insider
26-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia: GACA imposes SR3.8 million in aviation fines in Q1 2025
Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) imposed fines totaling SR3.8 million in the first quarter of 2025 for violations of civil aviation regulations, according to a report released by the authority's violations committee. The report detailed 147 violations issued against airlines and individual travelers who failed to comply with aviation laws, executive regulations, and directives set by the authority. Two airlines were fined a total of SR15,000 for failing to implement the Advance Passenger Information System and violating competition guidelines. Another 63 violations were issued for airlines that did not properly verify passengers' travel documents or failed to adhere to their assigned time slots, resulting in fines exceeding SR1 million. The most significant penalties came from 61 violations related to passenger rights protection laws, leading to fines of over SR2.7 million. Additionally, 21 individual travelers were fined a total of SR12,400 for violating in-flight safety regulations and engaging in disruptive behavior on board. The aviation authority said the penalties reflect its commitment to transparency and regulatory oversight, as well as efforts to enhance passenger experience and improve air transport services in Saudi Arabia.
Zawya
26-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi: GACA imposes $1.01mln in aviation fines in Q1 2025
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) imposed fines totaling SR3.8 million in the first quarter of 2025 for violations of civil aviation regulations, according to a report released by the authority's violations committee. The report detailed 147 violations issued against airlines and individual travelers who failed to comply with aviation laws, executive regulations, and directives set by the authority. Two airlines were fined a total of SR15,000 for failing to implement the Advance Passenger Information System and violating competition guidelines. Another 63 violations were issued for airlines that did not properly verify passengers' travel documents or failed to adhere to their assigned time slots, resulting in fines exceeding SR1 million. The most significant penalties came from 61 violations related to passenger rights protection laws, leading to fines of over SR2.7 million. Additionally, 21 individual travelers were fined a total of SR12,400 for violating in-flight safety regulations and engaging in disruptive behavior on board. The aviation authority said the penalties reflect its commitment to transparency and regulatory oversight, as well as efforts to enhance passenger experience and improve air transport services in Saudi Arabia. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Saudi Gazette
25-03-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
GACA imposes SR3.8 million in aviation fines in Q1 2025
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) imposed fines totaling SR3.8 million in the first quarter of 2025 for violations of civil aviation regulations, according to a report released by the authority's violations committee. The report detailed 147 violations issued against airlines and individual travelers who failed to comply with aviation laws, executive regulations, and directives set by the authority. Two airlines were fined a total of SR15,000 for failing to implement the Advance Passenger Information System and violating competition guidelines. Another 63 violations were issued for airlines that did not properly verify passengers' travel documents or failed to adhere to their assigned time slots, resulting in fines exceeding SR1 million. The most significant penalties came from 61 violations related to passenger rights protection laws, leading to fines of over SR2.7 million. Additionally, 21 individual travelers were fined a total of SR12,400 for violating in-flight safety regulations and engaging in disruptive behavior on board. The aviation authority said the penalties reflect its commitment to transparency and regulatory oversight, as well as efforts to enhance passenger experience and improve air transport services in Saudi Arabia.
