Foreigners face new checks

NEW DELHI: All airlines will soon have to supply advance information about passengers on their flights coming to India. The decision to enforce the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) was taken in view of the recent increase in passenger traffic.

The system, apart from reducing delays at immigration counters and customs, would also enable airport authorities to identify passengers who could be potential threats.

Under APIS, airlines would be required to prove details of passengers on board their carriers within 15 minutes of the plane taking off to India. The information, transmitted electronically, will include personal information of the passenger like passport details, nationality, visa details and information on duration of stay and address.

The proposed system will also be applicable to ships entering Indian waters. The APIS is in place in 10 countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa and Bahrain, and has been operational in the US from October last year.

Sujit Banerjee, a tour operator, said the system was problematic. It will only lead to a big mess, and eventually hit Indian tourism, he said. Airlines would need to provide additional manpower at airline counters while passengers would be held up for hours while checking in.

Besides, the system would present additional problems in Afghanistan and Nepal, which lack computerised departure control system facilities.