Security measures ‘an administrative burden’, say BA
BA chief executive Willie Walsh urged the Guild of Travel Management Companies to work with the airline in collating immigration details of passengers before they reach the airport.
He warned that supplying details at check-in could lead to delays.
The comments come as airlines prepare for new US government legislation in March which requires additional information to be sent to US officials. Non US residents will have to provide details of country of residence, first night destination as well as passport data.
“We have to send these extra requirements to the US authorities before take-off,” he told the GTMC. “The last thing our mutual customers want is long delays at check-in while they find this extra information and wait for check-in staff to input it into the system.
“Collecting data pre-airport will produce a much smoother travel experience and higher level of customer service.”
Walsh described it as “an unwelcome administrative burden” but one that “we must all bear.”
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