Important Traveller Information
IMPORTANT TRAVELLER INFORMATION
Please acquaint yourself with the following important information for all Co-operative Travel Management customers and travellers
- Section 1: APIS (Advanced Passenger Information System)
- Section 2: Additional Information when travelling to the USA
a) Secure Flight Requirements
b) ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation)
- Section 3: Providing The Co-operative Travel Management with your information
Section 1
APIS – Important Information for Co-operative Travel Management Customers
What does APIS stand for?
It stands for Advanced Passenger Information System
What is it?
Many countries, including the USA, introduced national legislation which came into effect on 07 March 2006. This means that airlines flying to these countries must provide various details about each customer. In some cases, aircraft will not be able to land if they have passengers on board where these details have not been provided in advance.
Which destinations does this apply to?
Currently APIS data needs to be provided for customers travelling to or in transit to the following countries: USA, Canada, Mexico, China (except HKG), Japan, UAE, Thailand, South Africa, Spain, Pakistan, Jamaica, Kenya, Algeria, Iran, Syria, Morocco. This data allows the authorities to make routine identity checks on passengers before arrival.
Note: This list is subject to change, so please check with your Co-operative Travel Management consultant if your destination requires APIS data.
What information is required?
For ALL the countries mentioned above, your Co-operative Travel Management consultant will need to enter the following passport information into your booking in advance of you arriving at the airport:
- Passport Number
- Country of Issue
- Country of Citizenship
- Date of Birth
- Sex
- Expiry of Passport
- Name in Passport (must be the same name as issued on the ticket)
Note: For customers travelling to or transiting the USA, your Co-operative Travel consultant will also require:
- Country of Residence
- City of Residence
- The address of your first night’s accommodation in the USA including full postal/ZIP code
Note: Customers who do not provide this information could be denied boarding at the airport
Your Co-operative Travel Management consultant will also ask for your mobile telephone number and E-Mail address. We will also enter these details into your booking. Some airlines will then contact you directly should there be any delays or changes to your flights.
When is this supplied to the airline?
We need to supply this to the airline at least one week prior to departure – although it is best to do it as soon as possible. We do this through our in-house reservation system.
What happens if I don’t supply my Co-operative Travel Management consultant with these details?
If you don’t let our consultant know these details in advance you may not be allowed to board the plane when you get to your airport. We will endeavour to contact you if we haven’t heard from you, but it is your responsibility to advise us of your details. The airline may choose to enter this information for you directly at the airport, but this will cause delays and you may miss the departure of your flight.
What happens to the information once I provide it to my Co-operative Travel Management Consultant?
The information is transmitted directly into the airline reservation system so that the airline can pass this data on directly to the relevant immigration authorities before the flight departs.
If you would like this information to be stored securely on your behalf for future reservations please speak to your consultant about our secure passenger profile system.
This information is not passed to any other third party.
Where do I go if I require further information?
For more information on APIS, please refer to http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/home.xml or speak directly with your Co-operative Travel Management consultant.
Section 2
Additional Information when travelling to the USA
a) Secure Flight Requirements
The US Department of Homeland Security and its Department of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operates a Secure Flight Program.
Under Secure Flight airlines require that passengers provide their full name, date of birth and gender when making a reservation to travel and will request a passenger’s Redress Number and passport information if available.
The objectives of Secure Flight are to:
- Identify known or suspected terrorists
- Prevent individuals on the No Fly List from boarding an aircraft
- Subject individuals on the Selectee list to enhanced screening to determine if they are permitted to board an aircraft
- Facilitate passenger air travel
- Protect individual’s privacy
For more information, please visit: http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/secureflight/faqs.shtm#Basics
b) ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation)
Please ensure that you apply for your ESTA (Authority to Travel) at least 72 hours in advance of travel by visiting https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta Failure to do this will result in you not being able to travel and cancellation penalties will apply.
Section 3
Providing The Co-operative Travel Management with your information
Unless dictated by the airline, the information can be provided as follows:
- At the time of booking – this can make for a smoother reservation process and minimise the risk of not completing the information in time before travelling
- Once you have made a booking or on-line by managing your reservation on the airline’s website or self service kiosks at airports
- At Check In, although it is strongly recommended that you use one of the above options to save time and inconvenience at the airport
Note: Where you have a Secure Profile created by The Co-operative Travel Management this information will be automatically transmitted into your reservation by our reservation staff
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