To: zonder who wrote (10799 ) 2/20/2003 10:51:15 AM From: Karen Lawrence Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 25898 Do you know about this? euobserver.com Deal struck on air passenger information European airlines obliged to provide passenger data to US authorities such as names, passenger’s itinerary, contact phone number and other details such as credit card numbers. (Photo: European Commission) The European Union, on Wednesday, reached the basis of an agreement with Washington on sharing passenger information on transatlantic flights. The deal seems to satisfy new US anti-terrorism measures as well as European Union data protection rules, reports the International Herald Tribune. The agreement struck in the last two days between US deputy customs commissioner Douglas Browning and the European Commission obliges European airlines to provide passenger data to US authorities. In return the US has provided assurances about the appropriate handling of the information in accordance with European Union data protection rules. The information concerned includes not only names but also the passenger’s itinerary, contact phone number and other details such as credit card numbers. Outstanding issues Certain issues are outstanding according to a spokesperson for the Commission. There has been no agreement yet on whether incidental passenger details such as meal preferences will be transferred. Details also have to be worked out as to how the transfer would work. The Commission on Wednesday expected that the information would be transferred only after the passenger agreed. If he or she did not agree then they would be subject to more stringent checks when they arrive in the US, there are also questions about legal recourse. European Union – US co-operation in the fight against terrorism has since the 11 September attacks increased significantly, however, disputes remain over some questions, such as extradition of suspects and freezing funds of certain groups. Wednesday’s agreement was a successful resolution to a contentious issue colouring Trans-Atlantic relations over the last couple of months.