Starting 01 April, 2025, airlines flying international routes to and from India will need to follow new regulations issued by Indian Customs. These rules are part of the Passenger Name Record Information Regulations, 2022, and are designed to improve border security and passenger risk analysis. Airlines must provide detailed passenger data to Indian Customs authorities well in advance of flight departures.
What Airlines Must Do: From 01 April 2025, airlines will be required to share information about all international passengers with Indian Customs. This data must be submitted to the National Customs Targeting Centre-Passenger (NCTC-Pax), the agency responsible for managing passenger records.
Registration Deadline: All airlines must register with NCTC-Pax by 10 January, 2025, to ensure compliance with the new system.
Data Submission Timeline: Passenger data must be provided at least 24 hours before the flight’s departure. Airlines failing to meet this deadline will face penalties. Here is everything you need to know about the new rules and how they will work.
National Customs Targeting Centre-Passenger (NCTC-Pax) is the agency responsible for managing passenger records
Details to be Shared: The information airlines must share includes:
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Passenger Name: As listed on the ticket or travel document.
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Contact Information: Mobile number and email ID.
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Payment Details: Credit card or other billing information used to book the ticket.
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Travel Itinerary: Both inbound and outbound flight details, including destinations, dates, and stopovers.
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Co-Travellers: Names of others in the same booking (PNR).
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Additional Details: Baggage information, travel agency details (if applicable), and codeshare flight details.
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Penalties for Non-Compliance: If airlines fail to comply with the regulations, they could be fined between ₹25,000 and ₹50,000 per instance of non-compliance.
How the System Will Work
Pilot Phase: To ensure a smooth transition, a pilot phase will begin on 10 February, 2025, involving select airlines.
Full Implementation
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Full-scale operations for all individual airlines will commence on 01 April, 2025.
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Airlines using global distribution systems (GDS) will have until 01 June, 2025, to comply.
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The system will rely on advanced technology, including the PNRGOV system, which enables airlines to securely transmit passenger data to customs authorities.
Why These Rules Are Being Introduced
The primary aim of these new rules is to strengthen India’s border security and improve the risk analysis of passengers. By having detailed information about travellers in advance, customs authorities can identify potential threats or suspicious activity more effectively.
For example, analyzing travel patterns, payment methods, and group bookings can help authorities detect unusual behavior or links to criminal activities.
Protecting Passenger Privacy
While these rules require detailed passenger data, the Indian Customs Department has committed to protecting passenger privacy. Some key measures include:
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Restricted Access: Only authorized personnel can view the data.
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Secure Storage: Data will be securely stored for up to five years. After this period, it will be anonymised unless required for investigations or legal matters.
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Exclusions: Sensitive information such as race, religion, political beliefs, or health details will not be collected or processed.
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These steps align with global standards for data protection, ensuring that passenger privacy is not compromised while implementing the new rules.
Global Examples of Similar Rules
Many nations already have similar systems to enhance security and manage travel risks.
United States: The Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) requires airlines to submit passenger details, including passport numbers, travel dates, and flight information, to U.S. Customs and Border Protection before flights arrive or depart.
European Union: The Passenger Name Record (PNR) Directive mandates that airlines share passenger data for flights entering or leaving the EU. This system is used to combat terrorism, organised crime, and other security threats.
Australia: Australia’s Advanced Passenger Processing (APP) system helps immigration and customs authorities pre-screen passengers by verifying their travel documents and sharing information before flights take off.
These systems, like India’s new rules, aim to strengthen border controls while maintaining passenger privacy.
What This Means for Passengers
For travellers, the new rules may result in more thorough security checks but should not directly impact their experience unless there is an issue with their information. It is crucial to ensure that all travel documents, tickets, and personal details are accurate and up to date when booking international flights.
Passengers should also be aware that airlines will be responsible for securely handling their data and that only essential details will be shared with customs authorities.
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