From 11 June onwards all passengers travelling from the UK and Switzerland to Spain are required to provide Additional Passenger Information.

This API comprises: Date of Birth, Nationality and Passport or National Identity Card number.

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I'm perhaps being a bit dense here but what is the new information that we have to give?

Passports contain allthe information you mentioned.

 

Laury

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Passports do but the information on date of birth etc you will have to give at the time of booking so that the airlines can give the info to the spanish authorities before the plane lands at spanish airports

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I think the API stands for "Advance" Passenger Information - and the information is as on your passport, but is required in advance of your arriving in the country.  Apparently, if not given at the time of booking (or before arriving at the airport) you may be subjected to delays on any flights to Spain while they provide this information at check-in.

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So why has the airline not been in touch for more information?

 

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I've booked my tickets online with BA and they clearly state on the website that this will be required, and if not provided may cause delays at check-in.  You can provide the information online on their website when you have booked.

I'm not sure, but I don't think it's up to the airline to enforce at the time of booking - they can only suggest that you give this information in advance of check-in.  I don't know quite what they do when you do check-in and haven't given the API. 

I would think that the airline or agent should advise you of the requirement when you buy/book your tickets.  If you have booked your tickets before this requirement was announced, then I would think that it is up to you to follow it up.

Not sure, but best to check it out if in doubt.

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Hi There,

I booked back in March to go to Malaga in October.

Easyjet have just e-mailed me to ask me to log onto their website to provide the necessary info.

It is a request but the airlines obviously know it is in their own best interests to get this info before departure so I would imagine if I don't reply, as my departure date grows closer, they will become more insistent.

I also expect in future the info will become incorporated into the online booking form.

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If I recall correctly, I had to provide these details for Emirates online when I booked our flights from here to the UK, because the UK also require API from certain countries, the UAE being one of them. 

Makes sense really to do so at the time of booking.

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I have  heard nothing from Flybe.

Going on the 21st so I dunno what they will do.

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i would seriously check with them if I was you it is possible that the spanish authorities may decline permission for the plane to land as the airline has not given the required details or also posssible that on arrival they may have a special area for all Flybe flights and take details there which will cause a big delay

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I think that if the airline has not collected it from you when you booked then they will collect it at checkin and so checkin will take a great deal longer.

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Laury, this is what  I've cut and pasted from BA's site.  I agree that you are best to contact Flybe - at the least, if you haven't provided this info, it will cause you delays, if not at this end then for sure in Spain!

Advance Passenger Information

• The governments of various countries require British Airways to collect Advance Passenger Information for passengers prior to travel.
• If your itinerary shows that you are travelling to one or more of these countries you will be asked to provide this information.
• We will only provide each country’s Customs and Immigration Authorities with the relevant information required by them, however some governments require airlines to provide them with direct access to airline passenger bookings (PNRs) which may contain other passenger data.
• In order to ensure that your check in at the airport is as smooth as possible and to avoid any additional queues, you are strongly advised to provide this information for all passengers (excluding infants) in each booking before going to the airport.
• It is also important that the information is accurate so that you do not have any delay when you pass through Immigration on arrival in these countries.

Spain

• passport number
• given names (as they appear on the passport)
• last name
• gender
• date of birth
• nationality

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I take it this must be due to the new shared tax rules. EU rules for certain countries only? Old Gordon is tying everything up on our movements for taxing second ownership abroad.

I take it the Eastern Block countries can still pass with a bus ticket and can do anything with no rules

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Actually, I believe you may find it's to do with security.  I don't think the UK requiring API from Pakistan, South Africa (J'burg only), the UAE, etc., has anything to do with tax.  All EU countries will be implementing this soon, I think.

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Oh, good.  A real live conspiracy theory.  Haven't seen one of those on here for ages.

Actually it's to do with the Schengen treaty in which countries signed up to allow free movement between EU countries.  Britain didn't sign up to this so we now, along with the other countries which didn't sign (it should also apply to Ireland because they didn't sign either) have to provide the information required by the country where you are going.  Spain has applied this before the other signatories but Germany, France, Italy etc have agreed to ask for this information in the future.  I'm afraid we can't bitch on about letting every man jack into Britain and then complain when other countries tighten up their border controls.  If we sign up to this agreement, we can move freely into and out of EU countries but then, everyone could move in and out of Britain freely as well.  I know it seems like we do allow everyone to come and go but there are supposed to be some checks.  You may find yourself stopped at border crossing between France/Spain and Portugal/Spain in the future if you are driving a UK reg car.

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Sorry, seemed to post a blank reply then!!  This is really interesting now!

I recall a friend of mine having problems with visiting a few european countries from here.  She is Turkish.

There is a Schengen visa, which allows a non-EU/non-signatory country citizen to travel freely, but they obviously have to apply for that beforehand (if I've understood this correctly).  And, it would appear, it's not only EU countries that have signed to this agreement, there are also other countries outside the EU (just did a quick search!!).

I think, basically, UK passport holders won't have too much of a problem with border checks if travelling by car/sea, but all travellers by air have to provide API when travelling from the UK to Spain, whether UK passport holders or not.  Makes sense really.  Even if the UK was a signatory to the treaty, those in the UK who don't have an EU passport, (or are from a country which is not a signatory to the treaty) would have to have a relevant Schengen visa to travel within the region in any event.

Have I got this right?


This message was last edited by Pitby on 6/3/2007.

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Thats the trouble with England being a third world country ?

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You're all trying to worry me now.

Perhaps they'll do it at check in? They use the passport to check in with anyway. All the information is on it.

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Laury, I think the point is that, yes, all the information is on your passport, but how long will it take to input that information into their system?  Along with two hundred other passengers on your flight who haven't provided the info up front!  And what happens at the other end, if the info hasn't been received prior to your landing, how long will it take them to input all the info into their system that end, if necessary!?

I really think it's best if you just contact your agent/Flybe and ask them the best way to provide this info to them.  You haven't got anything to lose!

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It isn't that easy with budget airlines though Jan.

You book online and speak to no one.

I haven't seen a travel agent since the 80s

I'm assuming they will e-mail me soon. If I don't hear in a week or so I will  ring Exeter airport and ask them.

Cheers.

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