Maldives Civil Aviation Authority designates Maldives Custom Service as the implementing agency for Advances Passenger Information ( API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data in the Maldives.
The API Guidelines were initially developed in 1993 by the World Customs Organization (WCO) in cooperation with the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Subsequently, the International Civil Aviation Organization jointed the process, and a ‘Contact Committee’ comprising the three organizations was formed.
To help their respective members implement the API system, the three organizations have jointly published the WCO/IATA/ICAO Guidelines on Advance Passenger Information in 2003, 2010, and now in 2013.
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), in Annex 9 mandates Member States to establish an Advance Passenger information (APl) system and recommends to consider developing regulations that meet the needs of all involved agencies, define a common set of API data elements required for that jurisdiction in accordance with message construction standards and appoint one government agency to receive API data on behalf of all other agencies.
This is a very useful technique to enhance border security while maintaining facilitation for low-risk passengers; thus, this benefits Customs and other border agencies, as well as carriers, airport authorities, other passenger facility operators, and passengers themselves.
Maldives Customs Services, as part of the ongoing efforts to facilitate expeditious passenger clearance processes at international airports, and to strengthen the protection of national security at the border, has established this API system.
The Circular by MCAA (AT 01/2021 - lssue 01) will come into effect from 17th January 2021. MCAA has advised all airlines and aircraft operators operating international flights to facilitate the provision of this data to Maldives Custom Service.
API and PNR data relating to passengers and crew on board all international flights including commercial, non-commercial, regular, and non-regular air transport service operators operating to and from the Maldives shall be provided to the Maldives Customs Service
Links:
Commenti