New Delhi: In a move to tighten border security and improve passenger screening, the Indian government has framed a new rule requiring airlines to share detailed information on international travellers with Customs authorities. This regulation, set to take effect on 1 April 2025, mandates airlines to provide passenger data, including personal details, travel plans, and payment information, or face financial penalties.
NCTC-Pax Registration: A Prerequisite for Airlines
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has instructed all air transport providers operating in India to register with the National Customs Targeting Centre-Passenger (NCTC-Pax) by 10 January 2025. This registration is a prerequisite for compliance with the new data-sharing requirements.
The CBIC communication specifies that airlines must transmit specific data roughly 24 hours before an international flight departs. This information includes mobile phone numbers, payment methods used for tickets, and complete travel itineraries. The initiative is aimed at refining passenger risk analysis.
24-Hour Data Transmission Window for Airlines
This new directive follows a CBIC notification issued on 8 August 2022, which initially outlined the requirement for airlines to share passenger name records (PNRs) of foreign travellers with Customs. The current system, developed by NCTC-Pax, will begin a phased rollout in January 2025.
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Non-compliance with the new data-sharing rules will result in penalties for airlines, ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹50,000 for each instance of failure to provide the required information. This penalty underscores the government seriousness regarding data collection.
PNRGOV Rollout: Phased Implementation for Airlines
In addition to the mandatory data sharing, the Customs Department will implement the PNRGOV system. This system will collect passenger information on a trial basis. Certain airlines have already volunteered to participate in this initial phase.
The CBIC has outlined a schedule for the PNRGOV system implementation. The pilot phase will begin on 10 February 2025. Full operation is planned from 1 April 2025 for individual airlines, and from 1 June 2025 for airlines using global distribution systems (GDS).
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The ‘Passenger Name Record Information Regulations, 2022’ provide the legal framework for this data collection. These regulations stipulate that airlines must provide data on all international passengers to Customs 24 hours before flight departure.
What Data Must Be Shared: A Comprehensive Overview
The regulations require airlines to share a range of information. This includes passenger names, billing and payment details (such as credit card numbers), ticket issue dates, intended travel routes, names of other travellers on the same PNR, and travel itineraries for both inbound and outbound international flights.
Interesting new rule for air travel! It’s great to see steps being taken to enhance security, though the changes will require some adjustment.