Passenger information: global carriers miss second deadline

New Delhi: International airlines flying into India have missed another deadline to put in place a system to provide information on inbound passengers to aviation and security officials.
No international carrier had complied with the order to implement the so-called advanced passenger information system, or Apis, by 1 August to screen inbound passengers that Indian officials say is a critical security requirement. The first deadline had expired on 1 July.
To conform with the order, airlines need to hire a company locally to set up computer hardware and software systems at six international airports in the country: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kochi. International airlines that Mint spoke to, said they were still preparing to implement the system.
“The main reason (for the delay) is engaging the service provider who can give the information in the format provided by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) and the time it will take for the service provider to put in place the hardware systems,” said a senior civil aviation ministry official.
Another meeting between international airlines and officials of the home and civil aviation ministries will likely deal with the issue, said this official, who did not wish to be identified. No date for the meeting has been set.
18/08/08 Tarun Shukla/Livemint

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Categories: Airports Aug 2008, Foreign Aug 2008, Safety Aug 2008