Strict airline immigration rules start today
New immigration regulations come into force today which airlines have warned could delay passengers at check-in or cause them to miss their flight.
The legislation requires all customers flying to the US to provide their country of residence and where they are staying on their first night in the States.
Although the requirements were introduced last October, US authorities gave carriers until today to implement systems.
British Airways urged customers to provide the details either on the ba.com website or through their travel agent to avoid delays at check-in. Those who refuse to provide the details will be barred from boarding the aircraft.
BA director of ground operations Geoff Want said: “The US is by far our biggest overseas market and we have been working hard to ensure that customers can give us the legally required data before coming to the airport.”
Chief executive Willie Walsh has described the paperwork as an “unwelcome administrative burden” and during a recent speech to the Guild of Travel Management Companies, urged agents to work with the airline in collating the information.
“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,” he told GTMC members.
The legislation is likely to cause the greatest problems for business travellers who may frequently change their hotel and date of arrival in the US.
Along with airlines, business agents have also complained it will add yet more to the administrative workload.
Report by Steve Jones
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