More passenger information needed for Spain

aerostar

From news.cheapflights.co.uk


Quote

British passengers flying to Spain will have to provide extra information as the Spanish government moves to introduce entry procedures similar to those used in the US.

From Wednesday, June 13, travellers will need to submit advance passenger information (API), with those failing to do so facing a possible ban from flights. The move is compulsory and is designed to ensure aviation security.

The information includes full given names, surnames, nationality, date of birth, and travel document number (eg. passport number).

British Airways has updated the "Manage My Bookings" section of its website, https://www.ba.com, to allow passengers to enter the required details, and said it would prompt customers to do so when they book tickets.

"If you haven't provided this information before entering Spain it could cause significant delays at immigration, so please check that the relevant information for you and anyone travelling with you has been completed," the airline said in a statement.

All airlines must comply with the rules. A spokesman for easyJet told The Times: "EasyJet is aware of the change in requirements and is working with the Spanish authorities to achieve compliance as soon as possible."

End Quote


Just tried dummy booking Easyjet and Ryanair to Spain on 14th June and there is NO information about this up to the point of entering credit card payment.

lynzpower

I didnt see this when I booked to Madrid yesterday and we are going on the 26th June

Do we provide info then via the embassy? Or will ryain air give it ( after all they will have all this info) sometimes ( I know DR, and mexico too) you fill forms in like tourist cards on the flight and these are given to immigration & passport stamped

Anything like that ??

lynzpower

http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/news/article1798138.ece

Found this coursetesty of lonely planet thorn tree

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/messagepost.cfm?postaction=reply&catid=27&threadid=1376318&messid=12077966&STARTPAGE=1&parentid=0&from=1&iCountryId=146

mcfisco

I'm going on the 14th June so I expect to be well delayed in the inevitable chaos that will ensue in the first days :mad:

lynzpower

it seems in the article that there shouldnt be anything :rolleyes:

However, Ignacio Vasallo, director of the Spanish Tourist Office told Times Online Travel that travellers should not be aversely affected. "The Spanish government has established a lead-in period during which time the UK travel industry can adopt technical solutions to ensure that introduction of these requirements don't affect travel from the UK to Spain," he said.

The new rule, issued by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior will apply only to countries that are not signed up to the Schengen treaty, an agreement which allows free travel, without presentation of a passport, between the 15 European countries that are members. The UK is not a member of this scheme.

I jsut called the embassy for advice but they were closed , so as soon as I get to speak to them tomorrrow I will post up thier response

richardw

The details are all in your passport, the airlines will probably e mail u if you have a booking for Spain.

bagand96

Agree, either the airlines will email you, or I have heard the check-in agents will have the ability to do it. So I imagine if info hasn't been provided then the check-in agents will do it. What happens with the current US system is the airlines collect the info, and provide it to the US after the flight leaves, I imagine the Spanish system will be similar.

Just to note something, this only applies to non-Schengen countries, so virtually all other EU countries are not affected by this. So if you are travelling to Spain by land (ie. ferry to France and driving, train from France etc) you will not be affected.

emmedi

Oh blimey....

Does it apply to all fly to Spain from the UK or for British people entering the country.

What happens if I hold a EU passport (shengen member) but fly from the UK?

I'm flying to Barcelona in July and I can only imagine the queue at Easyjet check ins in Gatwick.... :eek: :eek:

lynzpower

Im sure that the airline will have either a preprintable form or something you need to fill out or a tourist card as they do in carribbean

Im sure this is just a formality and nothing to get overly stressed about

but when I speak to the embassy tomorrow Ill let you all know

lynzpower

Ok I just spoke to the embassy.

they said, that the AIRLNE is reponsible for collecting the data ( name, passport nos etc) and passing them on to the Spanish Authorities.

I asked does thge passenger need to do anytihng, the embassy said no, its the responsibility of the AIRLINE that they need to provide this info, which they usually collect when they take order for the tickets, or indeed at check in.

HTH

danielson81

Ah, this might explain when I booked some flights In February to Murcia with Iberia I had to input everyones passport number! Thought it was weird at the time!