Last Thursday, European parliamentarians in Strasbourg voted on a proposal that would require airlines to share more passenger data. The bill has been passed.
The bill mentions several points, such as organized crime and combating terrorism. This only concerns information that the parliamentarians consider necessary. The authorities delete the data again after 48 hours. These ‘necessary’ data include name, date of birth, nationality and passport details such as the passport number that competent authorities must systematically retain and protect. Biometric data is excluded from the list of retained data. The authorities are currently also storing data, but this is done on a smaller scale and for a shorter period of time.
These rules only apply to flights departing from third countries – countries that are not part of the EU and not part of European free movement agreements – to Europe and vice versa. These obligations do not apply to flights between the first and second countries. Although it may happen that this data is also shared for the sake of simplifying the entire process.
According to the Flemish Assita Kanko, who is part of the European Parliament for the European Conservatives and Reformants led by Giorgia Meloni, the law makes it more difficult for criminals and easier for passengers. From the Netherlands, the SGP and JA21 are part of this European party, and Thierry Baudet’s Forum for Democracy was previously part of this European alliance. “I see it as my most important duty to keep our European citizens safe. This new, privacy-ridden legislation will achieve exactly that. … Our new law will streamline the data collection that is already taking place and stop loopholes used by terrorists and criminals. … This new law makes it easier for travelers who travel with good will. This new law makes it safer for our citizens,” said Kanko.
At this point, only the Member States still have to agree. This is usually just a formality and the process almost always takes place without obstacles.
