Flying to Spain this summer?

[ribeirasacra]

This article is news to us, but it seems that Spain's border controls are being strengthened. (:confused:) Although the article says British visitors, as it is a U.K. newspaper, it will more than likely mean all visitors.
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/news/article1798138.ece

Hopefully it will not mean any delays or refusals for any one.

[Pepino]

Hi,

I think the Times are also a bit confused. First they call it an "entry procedure", then they call it a "tax", and then they call it just plain old "information".

The only two pieces of info the report names as being needed are: date of birth and passport number. Well, if the airline carrying me doesn't know how to collect my passport number, then we really are up the creek without a paddle, and I would hope that the predicted endless queues of people (presumably struggling to remember their dates of birth) won't materialise in reality.

"Oooh, if only I'd written it down before I came to the airport!" jeje :D

I'll be flying out of Spain next month, so I'll see if I have to eat my words on my way back in again... :blush:

[Alison30]

Thankfully I'm flying into Spain on June 9th so will just miss it (if it causes any bother anyway that is):)

[Sampson]

I would hope that the predicted endless queues of people (presumably struggling to remember their dates of birth) won't materialise in reality.

"Oooh, if only I'd written it down before I came to the airport!" jeje :D
:

It's the year that always gets me. ;D

[gary]

This article is news to us, but it seems that Spain's border controls are being strengthened. (:confused:) Although the article says British visitors, as it is a U.K. newspaper, it will more than likely mean all visitors.
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/news/article1798138.ece

Hopefully it will not mean any delays or refusals for any one.


It is entirely likely that the Spanish tradition of passing legislation anf then completely ignoring it wil be adhered to. My experience of spanish immigration is one guy waving everyone through ith maybe a cursory glance to make sure you have a passport. They do however seem to have sharpened up security on boarding.

[eldeano]

Ahh, a subject close to my heart.

I know that UK airlines are hoping that the Spanish will postpone the start date to after August - for obvious reasons. What Spain has done is follow the US lead when it imposed API after 9/11 with little or no negotiation with the affected airlines.

What currently happens in the UK (with US flights) is that the passenger manifests, incorportaing API data, are sent to the DHS in the US and the flight cannot leave the ground until the US gives it the thumbs up. Whether this will be the same with the Spanish we will have to wait and see.

And what about the UK? Unfortunately, we don't impose, we tiptoe. Currently, we are trialling e-borders with many voluntary participating airlines. This helps to ensure that systems are compatible and the information required can be sifted so that the authorities do not have sight of non-required information (such as meal requirements!). The airlines, quite rightly, baulk at the thought of making their systems compatible and this will inevitably delay the eventual roll-out. Pity the UK doesn't follow the example of the US and Spain and just say "This is what we want; this is when we want it. If you don't do it, you don't fly"

More on e-borders here (http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/eborders/).

[ribeirasacra]

We are also confused by some of the statements in the article, so posted it here to try and see if anybody could shed a bit more light on it.
For us it also goes against the views of the European Community. Does not the community want free travel between neighbour states?
Another comment, publish on a different forum, asks how this affects anyone driving to Spain. A good point, drive (from within mainland Europe) and you do not have away of providing the information before travelling.

[dimonió]

I note that Easyjet are now trying to get everyone's API details in advance of travel to try to minimise queues after the 11th.

Speaking as someone who patiently waited at the Palma check in for approx 30 minutes on Saturday (ie before the introduction of the new requirements and before the High Season), I hope it works.


http://www.easyjet.com/EN/News/collecting_spanish_security_information.html

[omeyas]

We are also confused by some of the statements in the article, so posted it here to try and see if anybody could shed a bit more light on it.
For us it also goes against the views of the European Community. Does not the community want free travel between neighbour states?



I think they do, but this new procedure "will apply only to countries that are not signed up to the Schengen treaty, an agreement which allows free travel between member states."

The UK is not a member, so we should be one of the few affected!:)

[djS]

From 13th June 2007 all air travellers to Spain will be required to provide specific personal information prior to departure. This information is compulsory and is required for the purposes of ensuring aviation safety and security.
The Advance Passenger Information (API) system is already in force for an increasing number of international destinations, including the USA and Canada, although this is the first enforcement of its kind on a European route.
Below is a list of the information required:

· Full given names
· Surname
· Nationality
· Date of birth
· Travel document number e.g. passport number

jurdy

[dimonió]

Hi DJS. Do you know if it is definitely June 13th? The only reason I ask is that I thought it was the 11th, which is when my Mum & 2 of her friends are going. As they aren't travelling with Easyjet but Globespan, who haven't asked for the details up front, I was wondering whether to allow extra time at the airport.

And as for the earlier posts about not remembering birthdays etc, you would not want to be in the queue behind my Mum and her firends if they are asked for any relevant facts !:)

[daveyboy]

easyjet are doing it now. i bought my flight online yesterday for this wednesday. i thought eh..? why are they asking for this..? now i understand..lol.. i think its a good idea really, it could help prevent bad things around the world..:thumbs-up: