Africa’s airlines are calling on governments to implement passenger data systems in line with international standards, warning that poor design could raise travel costs and weaken the benefits of aviation for trade and tourism.
The African Airlines Association, the Airlines Association of Southern Africa and the International Air Transport Association said governments should roll out Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record systems according to International Civil Aviation Organization standards and global best practices.
The groups said the systems can help authorities improve border security, support law enforcement and identify risks before passengers travel. But they stressed that the programs must be backed by clear legal and operational frameworks and should be used only for legitimate security and border-control purposes.
The associations said the legal framework should clearly define the data required, designate one responsible authority and align with relevant bilateral or regional agreements. They also said governments should limit the collection of passenger information to what is strictly necessary, retain data for a defined period and include safeguards against discrimination.
They further called for secure data storage and transfer using harmonized global formats to reduce errors and ensure consistency across borders.
The industry groups also warned governments against financing the programs through charges imposed on airlines or passengers. They said border security is a government responsibility and should be funded by states, not by the aviation industry or travelers.
According to the organizations, adding passenger-data fees would increase the cost of travel, reduce connectivity and undermine aviation’s wider economic contribution to tourism, trade and investment.
Abdérahmane Berthé, secretary general of AFRAA, Aaron Munetsi, chief executive officer of AASA, and Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East, said in a joint statement that they support the use of passenger data to keep borders secure. However, they said the systems must be aligned with internationally recognized standards and funded correctly.
They said a coordinated approach between governments and the aviation industry would improve security, make travel smoother, protect personal data and avoid unnecessary costs and complexity.
The three organizations said they remain ready to work with governments, regional institutions and international partners to support passenger-data programs that strengthen security while keeping air transport safe, efficient and affordable.
