easyJet improves website to collect data

June 2007

Low-cost carrier easyJet has launched a new online service which will allow passengers flying to Spain this summer to enter mandatory security information before they take off.

A European directive, due to come into force next year, requires countries to gather Advance Passenger Information (API) from a passengers' travel document on entering a new country. This information includes date of birth, passport number and nationality.

Last month, Spain decided to introduce these requirements early and many industry experts predicted that this could cause major delays for passengers flying to the country this summer.

To help avoid this, easyJet revealed that it will collect this information before departure and has written to over one million passengers who have already booked to fly to Spain after June 11th.

From now on, whenever a passenger books a ticket to Spain, they will be required to enter their API on the spot.

A statement from the company read: "As a scheduled airline that sells its seats direct to the consumer over the internet, with no travel agent or middlemen, easyJet is well placed to make the necessary arrangements to collect this additional security information in advance and to ensure there will be no delays at check-in desks this summer."