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African Airlines Reject Charges for Passenger Data Systems
African airlines and their industry associations have rejected attempts to impose charges on carriers and passengers for government-run Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems, insisting that border security is the responsibility of states.
In a joint statement, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA), and International Air Transport Association (IATA) said they support the deployment of API and PNR systems but warned that costs should not be passed on to travellers or airlines.
“Governments should fund the systems as part of their border-security responsibilities,” the associations stated.
API and PNR systems allow governments to receive passenger information before arrival or departure, helping authorities strengthen border controls and identify risks.
However, the aviation bodies cautioned that poorly coordinated systems or new financial burdens could undermine the benefits.
The associations argued that ICAO’s Policies on Charges for Airports and Air Navigation Services (Doc 9082) recognise border security as a government responsibility. “Passing the bill to airlines and passengers would ultimately make air travel more expensive, weaken connectivity and threaten wider economic benefits,” they said.
They outlined four principles to guide implementation: legality, proportionality, purpose limitation, and accuracy. Governments, they said, must establish clear laws, collect only necessary data, retain information for defined periods, and ensure safeguards against discrimination.
The groups also warned against provisions that would allow passenger data to be used beyond legitimate purposes such as border control and law enforcement. They urged harmonisation of global data formats and strong safeguards for personal information.
“We support the implementation of Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record data transfer and recognise the important role passenger data plays in keeping borders secure.
“However, these systems must be aligned around internationally recognised standards and funded correctly,” the associations said, calling for coordinated approaches that improve security without adding unnecessary costs.
