api

[nextqueen]

do you definitely have to complete the api if you have already booked flights? we have flights booked with monarch for this month which we booked in june. i booked some flights for my inlaws today with monarch and it asked me to complete the api for both of them giving info which includes their passport number and expiry date. monarch says that its compulsory but we werent asked before nor for other flights we have booked for next year note: all to european destinations.

[ABerrant]

http://www.direct.gov...l/AirTravel/DG_176737

[boxtops]

Yes, you certainly do, particularly if you are going to one of the Spanish destinations, they won't let you fly without it. If you go back and look at your booking, it may still be waiting for you to do it - you don't have to enter these details at the time of booking.

[nextqueen]

mmm, thats strange as we flew at the end of august and we were never asked to complete anything. do we have to do it everytime we book a flight/holiday now?

[dzug2]

Depends on the destination - for some it is a requirement. others not

And to a lesser extent on the airline - some ask for it whether it's needed or not

[ABerrant]

Apart from the handful of foreign destinations for which API is a requirement (such as Spain, USA, Canada, Australia, Mexico, etc.) it is also meant to be a mandatory requirement of all flights to and from the UK as per the e-Borders policy implemented by the UK Border Agency.

http://www.ukba.homeo...dvanceinfopassengers/

UK requested API only becomes mandatory for transmission when all passengers are aboard the plane so it could be thought of as PI (i.e. not needed in advance of travel) as it may be collected at check-in, whereas foreign countries may need API to be transmitted many hours before the plane is boarded (e.g. USA - 72 hours before departure).

[smurfchops]

Why wouldn't you want to give your in laws' passport details and expiry date? Do they have something to hide?