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US Secure Flight Programme: Important Updates

Last Updated: 4 November 2009

1. What is the Secure Flight Programme?
   On 28 October 2008, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the final rule for a programme called Secure Flight. The purpose of Secure Flight is to enhance the current security of domestic and international air travel through the use of improved government watch list matching.
   
   Please refer to the privacy notice below from The Transportation Security Administration (TSA):
   
   

   “The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires you to provide your full name, date of birth, and gender for the purpose of watch list screening, under the authority of 49 U.S.C. section 114, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 and 49 C.F.R parts 1540 and 1560. You may also provide your Redress Number, if available. Failure to provide your full name, date of birth, and gender may result in denial of transport or denial of authority to enter the boarding area. TSA may share information you provide with law enforcement or intelligence agencies or others under its published system of records notice. For more on TSA privacy policies, or to review the system of records notice and the privacy impact assessment, please see the TSA Web site at www.tsa.gov.”

   
   
2. What information is required?

   Each passenger will be required to provide the following Secure Flight data when booking a flight into, out of, and over the US:

   • Passenger’s Full Name (as shown on state or government issued identification documents such as a State ID Card, Driver’s Licence or Passport).
   • Date of Birth
   • Gender
   • Redress* Number (if available)

   * Those who encounter misidentification are invited to apply for Redress number at www.dhs.gov/trip to help prevent watch list matching misidentifications in the future. Under the Secure Flight programme, individuals will use the Redress Number in future correspondence with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and when making future travel reservations.
   
   To provide Secure Flight information when booking a flight into, out of, and over the US, please contact your travel agent or local reservations office. Or you can provide the Secure Flight information by updating your “Travel Document” through Manage My Booking.

3. Compliance Date for Aircraft Operator
   The Secure Flight Final Rule and applicable aircraft operator security programmes require that aircraft operators request, collect, and be capable of transmitting the following data to TSA as of the date indicated: 31 October 2009 – full Secure Flight Passenger Data for international flights.
   
   

   Passengers who fail to comply with the Secure Flight Rule may result in denial of transport or denial of authority to enter the boarding area.