API-PNR Toolkit

What is Passenger Data?

Passenger data comprises of Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Records (PNR). This data can be a useful tool for governments’ border control or security processing as it can help them pre-identify travelers and patterns.

Strong global standards and guidelines are in place to assist States. It is essential that States understand and follow them to ensure swift compliance by the airlines and maintain smooth passenger movements at airports.

IATA, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and World Customs Organization (WCO) have developed a toolkit which include introductory presentations and videos, dynamic checklists and reference material to help you design passenger data programs that are harmonized, efficient and valuable.

• Passenger Data Exchange - The Basics The objective of this presentation is to understand the complexities of passenger data programs, increase awareness of existing international standards and airlines’ capabilities and understand that ICAO, WCO and IATA can offer assistance and expertise.
• Passenger Data Brochure This brochure is a quick guide to Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Records (PNR).
• ICAO Annex 9 - Facilitation, Border Controls and Procedures contains the international framework of Standards, Recommended Practices and guidance material with regards to facilitation of procedures, including passenger data. Annex 9 also specifies methods for clearance operations of aircraft, passengers and cargo to comply with States’ laws.
• Passenger Data Umbrella Document This document, created by ICAO, WCO and IATA, provides a high level executive brief regarding sources and systems for passenger-related information.
• Passenger Data Program Checklist This document is a job aid that enumerates the various steps to be considered by authorities when setting up a Passenger Data Exchange program.

Video: Passenger Data - The Basics This video provides you basic information Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Records (PNR).

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Advance Passenger Information (API) and Interactive API (iAPI)

• API refers to a passenger’s identity such as full name, date of birth and nationality. API is typically obtained from travel documents such as passports
• iAPI provides opportunities for governments to communicate an instant response to carriers based on vetting results

Passenger Name Record (PNR)

• Passenger Name Records (PNR) are collected by airlines solely for their business purposes. PNR contain information about bookings made which can include as little as a name, an itinerary and a ticket indicator. Accuracy is not guaranteed and PNR can contain sensitive personal data.

The API/PNR Toolkit addresses the following elements:

• What is API, Batch API, Interactive API, PNR
• Key Principles: Alignment, Cooperation, Efficiency, Single Window
• Data Elements
• Transmission Timings and Frequency
• Message Standards
• Modes of Transmission
• PNR, Privacy and Data Protection
• Benefits of Standard Transmission
• How to Set Up a Passenger Data Program

For more information, contact ICAO, WCO and IATA at passengerdata@iata.org