Dec. 10, 2014
NBAA recently hosted a free webinar on the expanding requirements in some countries that require Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) submissions. The webinar, sponsored by Jeppesen and presented by Kate York, a regulatory, compliance and training specialist in Jeppesen’s International Trip Planning department, is now archived on NBAA’s website for Members to review free-of-charge.
“APIS submissions are currently required by many countries, including the United States, Mexico, some CARICOM [Caribbean] states, the Dominican Republic (for charter) and India,” said York. “It’s important to keep up with the current mandates from each country. This webinar helps operators and pilots ensure compliance with changing APIS requirements. For example, the Dominican Republic has passed a law requiring APIS submissions for private flights, but it is not currently enforcing that requirement. Panama and Columbia are likely to enforce APIS submission requirements soon.”
During the webinar, York and NBAA Vice President of Regulatory and International Affairs Doug Carr provided several reminders regarding U.S. APIS submissions, including tips on ensuring proper passenger name submission.
“It is the pilot’s responsibility to ensure accurate, complete, correct and timely data,” said York. “For example, be sure the passenger’s name is accurate and correct. Don’t submit ‘Sydney’ for ‘Sidney’ or ‘Bob’ for ‘Robert.'”
York also provided guidance on submitting APIS data when departing from an airport that does not have an International Air Transport Association (IATA) code. When departing from the U.S., the pilot or operator should submit the airport code from the nearest airport with an IATA code. When departing from a foreign airport with no IATA code, the pilot or operator should submit “XXX” in the airport code field. Although these seem like minor issues, an inaccurate or incorrect APIS submission may not be approved, or clearance upon arrival may be delayed.
York cautioned operators to submit U.S. APIS information as soon as the manifest details are finalized, as technical difficulties with transmission methods can sometimes delay a receipt of acknowledgement.
“NBAA tries to reduce the burden when it comes to submitting multiple government reports,” said Carr. “A recent improvement, courtesy of great cooperation between Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is that foreign air carriers may now use an APIS submission in lieu of the previously required TSA waiver. We continue to look for opportunities to reduce repetitive submissions of the same information.”
York also provided similar details on APIS submission requirements for the Dominican Republic, India, Mexico and the Caribbean community member states participating in APIS, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.
“I encourage pilots who fly internationally to review the archived webinar,” said Carr. “It provides a number of country-specific tips for ensuring compliant APIS submissions and avoiding penalties and delays in obtaining approvals.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.