African airlines call on governments to adopt unified passenger data standards

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA), the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have jointly urged African governments to align their Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) programmes with internationally recognised standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and IATA.

They warn that fragmented, country‑specific requirements raise operating costs for carriers, complicate cross‑border flights and can undermine the efficiency of air transport and border security. The groups stress that legal frameworks should be clear, data collection proportional, and that costs for these systems be borne by governments rather than airlines or passengers. The appeal comes as many African states modernise border‑management systems under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost tourism, trade and legitimate travel.