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CHARTER carriers are warning of delays or price hikes for package holidaymakers as European Union countries start demanding more information about inbound passengers, writes Emily Williamson.

Concerns over new Advanced Passenger Information System requests from EU countries come as charter airlines withdraw their threat to boycott airports in Portugal during Euro 2004 due to data requests from Portuguese authorities.

EU states are soon expected to start requesting that APIS data is sent to them before a flight arrives.

The International Air Carrier Association - whose members include Britannia, First Choice Airways, MyTravel Airways and Thomas Cook Airlines - is warning of problems collecting the data. For example, airports at destinations such as The Gambia and the Caribbean do not have the technology or constant power supply to send the information electronically.

IACA director of aeropolitical and industry affairs Koen Vermeir said requests should be reduced to a minimum. First Choice Holidays head of aviation regulation Eddie Redfern added if carriers have to pay to implement systems to send data, the cost could be passed on to holidaymakers.

Britannia director of industry affairs Colin Sharples said it could cause data protection problems and operators could poach customers if agents give out information.

“Agents are concerned airlines and operators would contact the client direct.”

Meanwhile, the IACA had said it could be forced to boycott Portuguese airports during Euro 2004 after Portuguese authorities asked for APIS data 48 hours before each flight. However, Vermeir said it is now a voluntary requirement.