E-border programme 'could affect check-in processes'

Checking-in at one of the UK numerous airports could take that bit longer under new security proposals.

The Times reports that as part of a £1.2 billion initiative to improve safety at both airports and ports, passengers could be subject to tighter identity checks.

Under the new plans, airlines will have to be able to provide nine basic details about travellers. This includes their name, sex, date of birth, nationality, type of travel document and where it was issued.

The government has also revealed plans to go further than this and provide security officials with information such as the date the flight was booked, when they intend to fly, where the passenger lives, whether they are flying first-class and the contact details of the agent they booked it from.

Part of an ongoing 'e-borders programme', the new measures aim to "focus on the routine and comprehensive capture and analysis of passenger, crew and service data".

Concerns have been raised, however, that the move could slow down check-in processes and could potentially add 14p to the average cost of every journey.

Posted by Graham Greenaway on the 02/08/2007 12:47:12
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