Airlines to Share International Passenger Data with Customs from April 1, 2025
the Indian government has mandated that all airlines operating international flights to and from India must share detailed passenger data with Indian Customs authorities starting from April 1, 2025. The new requirement, outlined by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), aims to improve risk analysis and strengthen the interdiction capabilities of authorities.
Under the new regulation, airlines will need to provide comprehensive information about international passengers at least 24 hours before the flight’s departure. This includes essential details such as the passenger’s name, travel itinerary, mobile number, payment methods (including credit card information), and baggage details. The Passenger Name Record (PNR) system will be used to share this data, which is expected to be a crucial part of India’s enhanced security framework. The Passenger Name Record Information Regulations, 2022, which came into effect in August 2022, introduced the requirement for airlines to share PNR data with Customs. The government’s intention behind this move is to bolster security by enabling better tracking of passengers and improving the efficiency of customs operations. It will also allow Customs authorities to perform advanced risk assessments, thereby identifying potential security risks before passengers arrive at Indian airports.
To comply with the new regulations, all air transport service providers will need to register with the National Customs Targeting Centre-Passenger (NCTC-Pax) by January 10, 2025. Failure to register could result in penalties, with airlines facing fines ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 for each instance of non-compliance. The CBIC has stressed that this data-sharing requirement is not only essential for compliance but also a necessary step in streamlining India’s airport security and passenger screening systems. The implementation of the new system will begin with a pilot phase starting on February 10, 2025. During this phase, selected airlines will participate to ensure the system works effectively. After the successful completion of the pilot phase, the full-scale operation will commence on April 1, 2025, for individual airlines. Additionally, airlines operating through a global distribution system (GDS) will begin submitting passenger data starting from June 1, 2025.
The required data will include details such as the name of the passenger, ticket information (including the date of issue), names of other travellers under the same PNR, travel agency information, and details of the flight’s codeshare arrangements. The data collected will also involve mobile phone numbers and email addresses to enable quicker communication in case of emergencies or compliance-related matters. In the long term, the data-sharing initiative aims to improve passenger experience by ensuring smoother and faster clearance at customs checkpoints while enhancing the effectiveness of border control. With growing concerns over security, the move aligns with global standards for passenger screening and customs data collection. The new system represents a shift towards more data-driven approaches to aviation security and could pave the way for similar initiatives in other countries as well.
