Carriers miss second deadline to implement advanced passenger information system
20 Aug 2008
New Delhi: International carriers operating on the India sector have failed to comply with an order to implement the so-called advanced passenger information system (APIS) by 1 August, in the process missing another deadline. The first deadline had expired on 1 July.
The system is meant to provide information on in-bound passengers to aviation and security officials, for whom it is a critical security requirement. Carriers have expressed their resentment at the norms laid down by government authorities. They point out that these norms are incompatible with industry standards, as certified by the United Nations.
Briefly, the system seeks too much information and that too in a non-standard format making it difficult for global carriers to implement. (See: Airlines find India's non-format passenger data system difficult to implement)
To implement the order the order, airlines need to set up computer hardware and software systems at six international airports in the country.
According to aviation ministry sources, the delay is being caused because service providers, who can package the information in the format as required by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) are yet to be appointed.
Meanwhile, a meeting between international carriers and officials of the home and civil aviation ministries is likely to take place soon to sort out issues.
