Airlines warned about US data rules

AIRLINES flying out of Ireland with passengers whose final destination is the United States have been warned to state clearly what information will be passed on to the American authorities.

Carriers, including Aer Lingus, are being forced to pass on otherwise confidential information to the US, including credit card details, frequent flier details, even whether a passenger’s food is halal (a Muslim meat dish) or kosher (a Jewish meal). Airlines face being denied landing rights if they refuse.

The regulations have been brought in under the guise of security, tightened considerably since September 11, 2001, but there are no guarantees that the information will be passed on to agencies other than those involved in security, such as the inland revenue or even private interests.