Mr Orlando
22-05-2007, 03:58 PM
MILLIONS of holidaymakers heading to Spain this summer could face long delays with the introduction of new security measures.
Spanish authorities have opted to bring into effect early new European security rules whereby passengers have to provide detailed personal information such as their full name, nationality, date of birth and passport number.
Spain is the first European country to introduce the policy, which will be brought in on June 13, prompting concern that it will cause problems during the busy summer months.
All European Union member countries will have to introduce the policy within the next year.
Some airlines will collect the information via websites or travel agents, but others will require staff at check-in desks to take down the information.
The Association of British Travel Agents said several appeals to the Spanish authorities to delay the introduction had been rejected.
An ABTA spokesman said: "The new requirements are very badly timed.
"We would advise customers where possible to input their information online and where that is not possible to check in earlier."
This article: http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=793902007
Spanish authorities have opted to bring into effect early new European security rules whereby passengers have to provide detailed personal information such as their full name, nationality, date of birth and passport number.
Spain is the first European country to introduce the policy, which will be brought in on June 13, prompting concern that it will cause problems during the busy summer months.
All European Union member countries will have to introduce the policy within the next year.
Some airlines will collect the information via websites or travel agents, but others will require staff at check-in desks to take down the information.
The Association of British Travel Agents said several appeals to the Spanish authorities to delay the introduction had been rejected.
An ABTA spokesman said: "The new requirements are very badly timed.
"We would advise customers where possible to input their information online and where that is not possible to check in earlier."
This article: http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=793902007