Russia, EU in fresh spat over exchange of air passenger data
(BRUSSELS) - Russia and the European Union appeared headed for a fresh spat Monday over demands by Moscow for European airlines to hand over air passenger data or face being barred from Russian airspace.
Hours ahead of an EU-Russia summit in Yekaterinburg already clouded by disagreement over Syria and energy, Brussels voiced concern at a Moscow plan to introduce new rules on July 1 on the exchange of so-called Passenger Name Record (PNR) data -- information collected by airlines during reservation and check-in procedures.
The European Commission said that with only weeks to go, it had no information on Moscow's new requirements.
"Right now we don't know the status or the details of the regulations the Russians are implementing," said Commission spokesman Michele Cercone. "We have tried to contact the Russian authorities but have had no response."
Cercone said the Commission's latest bid to obtain a response from Moscow was a letter sent March 15 but "the letter has remained unanswered."
The EU executive was attempting to obtain a moratorium on the July 1 implementation of the new Russian rules, he added.
A European aviation industry official who asked not to be named said Russia had made no direct contact with EU airlines "so there is no obligation on our part to proceed."
The EU agreed a deal with the United States on the exchange of PNR data after long tough talks involving the right to privacy, but in April EU lawmakers rejected plans to allow European air passenger data to be transferred to EU states to fight organised crime and terrorism.
A spokeswoman for the Association of European Airlines (AEA), which represents 32 carriers, told AFP it was seeking "a harmonised EU framework that would enable all EU states to collect the same data."
"This would enable us to conclude bilateral agreements such as the one concluded with the US," said spokeswoman Viktoria Vajnia. "Without the conclusion of such an agreement we cannot transfer data because there is no legal basis."
Air carriers collect PNR data during reservation and check-in procedures for flights entering or leaving the EU. This also includes address, phone number and credit card details.
The United States, Canada and Australia already require carriers to provide PNR records for use in crime and terror probes.