African aviation groups back API and PNR systems but urge governments to fund them, warning that new airline and passenger fees could raise travel costs.
African aviation industry bodies have called on governments across the continent to adopt Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems in line with international standards, while opposing efforts to fund the programmes through charges on airlines and passengers.
The African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) said API and PNR systems play an important role in strengthening border security, supporting law enforcement and facilitating the movement of legitimate travellers.
In a joint statement signed by AFRAA Secretary-General, Abdérahmane Berthé; AASA Chief Executive Officer, Aaron Munetsi; and IATA Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Alawadhi, the organisations said effective passenger-data systems require cooperation between governments and the aviation industry.
The associations, however, warned that governments should not shift the cost of national border-security programmes to airlines or travellers through additional API and PNR fees.
They cited the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Policies on Charges for Airports and Air Navigation Services, contained in Doc 9082, which they said recognises border security as a government responsibility. The groups therefore argued that the costs associated with API and PNR programmes should be funded by governments.
According to the aviation bodies, imposing such charges on airlines would ultimately increase the cost of air travel and could undermine connectivity across Africa, particularly in a market already facing high operating costs and affordability challenges.
Higher travel costs could have wider implications for tourism, trade and investment, as increased fares may discourage passenger demand and make some routes less commercially viable.
From the governments’ perspective, the associations acknowledged the security value of passenger-data systems, which enable authorities to receive information before travellers arrive or depart and use it to strengthen border controls, identify potential security risks and support law-enforcement activities.
They therefore urged African states to proceed with API and PNR implementation but establish clear legal and operational frameworks before deployment.
The groups said national systems should be aligned with ICAO standards and other internationally recognised practices, with particular attention to legality, proportionality, purpose limitation, consistency and accuracy.
They called for clear legislation governing the collection, processing and transfer of passenger information, including provisions specifying the data required and the authority responsible for managing it.
The associations also stressed that governments should collect only information necessary for legitimate security and border-control purposes. Passenger data should not be retained indefinitely, while risk-assessment processes should include safeguards against discrimination.
They further maintained that information collected through API and PNR systems should be restricted to legitimate purposes, including border control, national security, law enforcement and the prevention of serious crimes.
Accuracy and consistency in data collection, processing, storage and transmission were also identified as critical to the effectiveness of the systems. The organisations urged governments to adopt harmonised global data formats and appropriate safeguards for passenger information.
The aviation bodies said their position was not opposition to API and PNR programmes but a call for their implementation in a manner that balances security requirements with the need for affordable and efficient air transport.
“We support the implementation of Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record data transfer and recognise the important role passenger data plays in keeping borders secure. However, these systems must be aligned around internationally recognised standards and funded correctly,” the organisations said.
They added that a coordinated approach between governments and industry would improve security outcomes while protecting passenger data and avoiding unnecessary costs and complexity.
For Africa, the groups said, achieving that balance would be particularly important as countries seek to strengthen intra-African air connectivity and expand aviation’s contribution to tourism, trade and economic development.
