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Continued
SECURITY & FACILITATION
API/PNRA lack of uniformity in API/iAPI and PNR systems can adversely affect the viability of
the air transport industry and reduce the effectiveness of utilizing such data for the
purposes it is required. It is essential, therefore, that States worldwide standardize
their data requirements and adopt standard formats for the electronic transmission
of such data.
Advance Passenger Information (API)
Advance Passenger Information (API) involves the capture of a passenger’s biographic
data and flight details by the carrier during the check-in process. This information
is electronically transmitted to the border control agencies at the destination. These
agencies can then screen details of passengers against their database(s), identifying
those travelers requiring more detailed examination upon arrival. It also enables the
efficient and expedited clearance of low-risk persons.
For aviation security purposes, identification could potentially be greatly enhanced by
“Interactive API (iAPI)” programmes that allow destination States to prevent potentially
high-risk persons from boarding flights at the place of departure. iAPI provides for
passenger-by-passenger online interchange of electronic messaging between the
aircraft operator and the border control agency in the State of destination (as opposed
to one API message for all passengers on a flight).
A Passenger Name Record (PNR)
A Passenger Name Record (PNR) is the generic name given to records created by
aircraft operators or their agents for each booking made by a prospective passenger
for commercial and operational purposes in providing air transportation services.
A PNR is built up from data that is supplied concerning all the flight segments of
a journey. States have begun requiring airlines to provide PNR data because the
information is deemed important for the threat assessment value that can be
derived from the analysis of the data.
PNR information is used by border control and security agencies to identify unusual
travel patterns. Specific PNR data elements may highlight such aspects as an unusual
itinerary, a date of booking close to the date of departure, modes of payment, and so
on. Anomalies and unusual patterns are identified based on pre-determined criteria,
leading border control authorities to subsequent actions such as physical controls.
A standard electronic message, called the “PAXLST” message, is the standard
developed for the transmission of API/iAPI transmissions and the “PNRGOV” message
is the standardized message for the transmission of PNR data. The World Customs
Organization (WCO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ICAO have
jointly endorsed these messages as the international standards for the transmission
of API/iAPI and PNR data, respectively.
These Organizations have also published guidelines to assist in the implementation
of the messages. These may be found at http://www.icao.int/Security/FAL/Pages/
Publications.aspx. Additionally, ICAO Doc 9944 establishes uniform measures for
PNR data transfer and the subsequent handling of such data by States concerned.
Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) on API and PNR are found in
Annex 9 — Facilitation, to the Chicago Convention.
For more information on ICAO’s Facilitation Programme visit:
www.icao.int/Security/FAL/Pages/default.aspx
Or contact ICAO Security & Facilitation via: