Hold baggage security check at MAN

[nopy99]

Source - http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/04/27 ... agreement/

Europe seals air passenger name-swap deal with US

PNR welcomed by EU council
By Kelly Fiveash

Posted in Government, 27th April 2012 13:02 GMT

A contentious new deal allowing the European Union to swap airline passenger information with US officials has been agreed by EU interior ministers.

The transfer of Passenger Name Records (PNR) data by carriers that operate passenger flights between the two regions grants the US Department of Homeland Security access to such information.

Earlier this week, Europe's MEPs welcomed the agreement to store air passenger data on people flying into and out of the EU for five years.

A similar system is already in place in the US, which retains such information on passengers for more than 10 years.

The new agreement in Europe replaces a provisional arrangement that had been in place since 2007. The UK opted in to the new agreement in February.

"The goal is to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute terrorist offenses and related crimes as well as other serious cross-border crimes punishable by a sentence of imprisonment of at least three years," said the EU council in a brief statement welcoming the agreement. ®

[Airborne]

Have they started extra checking of US-bound PIA flights at Manchester Airport?

Or has PIA managed to satisfy US authorities to prevent longer duration extra checking of flights at Manchester Airport?

Seems PIA has managed to convince US authorities otherwise media would have reported implementation of lengthy checking process at Manchester Airport.

Abbas

TSA gave an extension till May 19, 2012 after their visit. They will confirm whether to have extra checking or not after this date now.

[Abbas Ali]

^ Thank you for the info.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

MD PIA to Hold Talks with TSA

Lahore, May 17, 2012: Managing Director PIA, Air Chief Marshal (retd.) Rao Qamar Suleman is currently on official visit to Cologne and Washington to attend crucial meetings for PIA. The meetings were scheduled since long and any further delays on the part of the PIA could have resulted in serious operational implications for the airline in Europe and North America.

The meetings with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials at Washington DC were being held to stop the anticipated 8 hours delay for the PIA flights going to the USA via Manchester for a secondary security check. Should the TSA enforce this condition, the feasibility of flying PIA to the USA shall have serious implications for the airline. The meeting was already scheduled and is a follow up of the TSA officials visit to Pakistan in April 2012.

PIA spokesperson further said that the Managing Director was invited to the meetings at Cologne with EASA Officials and in Washington with TSA officials regarding second security check, at Manchester airport as the sensitivity of the situation and that the matter on both issues can only be dealt with at the highest level.

Source: PIA Press Release (May 17, 2012)

[Abbas Ali]

MD PIA Returns After Meeting TSA Officials in USA

Lahore, May 21, 2012: MD PIA Air Chief Marshal (retd.) Rao Qamar Suleman is formulating a comprehensive strategy on emergency basis for PIA flights to USA without en route secondary security checks at Manchester. PIA spokesman said here on Monday.

MD PIA, Air Chief Marshal (retd.) Rao Qamar Suleman returned after visit to the EASA Offices in Colonge, Germany and TSA in Washington DC, USA.

TSA Meeting Washington DC - May 18, 2012

Managing Director PIA met with top officials of TSA (Transportation Security Administration) along with Home land Security Officials and discussed the various options available to both sides to create a frame work that would allow PIA to fly to the USA without en route secondary security checks.

Managing Director PIA was welcomed by the TSA officials. During the meeting security concerns were discussed. MD PIA assured that all issues shall be addressed by PIA on an urgent basis. TSA team was satisfied by steps suggested by PIA.

Meeting was successful as MD PIA was able to convince TSA to allow PIA time to resolve the issue. The matter is most critical for the airline as a possible sanction can result in suspension of PIA flights to USA.

Managing Director is putting together a comprehensive strategy to tackle the matter on emergency basis. PIA spokesman concluded.

Source: PIA Press Release (May 21, 2012)