Advance Passenger Information

Many countries, such as Canada, Spain and USA require bmi (and all other airlines) flying to these countries to collect and supply Advance Passenger Information commonly referred to as APIS.

Accordingly, we are legally obliged to collect passenger information from all customers (including infants) who are travelling to, and in some cases from, those countries involved in your itinerary that require information, including but not limited to the USA, Spain and the Caribbean States for electronic transmission to the relevant country's Customs and Immigration authorities prior to departure.

We will only provide each country with the relevant information requested by them for law enforcement purposes, the contents of which will not used for any type of marketing activity.  In addition to APIS data, some countries, including the USA, require direct access to Passenger Name Record (PNR) data. This is a copy of your electronic record created by us for the purpose of recording your flight reservations and which may include other information such as contact details and method of payment.

APIS data is currently required for customers travelling to or in transit through to the following countries:

Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Canada, China (except Hong Kong), Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates and USA. In addition, direct flights both to and from the United Kingdom: Iran, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria. European Council Directive 2004/82/EC published 29 April 04, establishes a legal obligation for carriers to communicate passenger data for the purpose of combating illegal immigration and improving border patrol.

What information is required?

For all of the countries above, the following information which is obtained from your passport or travel document, is required to be entered into your booking, where possible, prior to arriving at the airport. 

• Full given names and surname (your passport and booking must match)
• Nationality
• Travel document type (i.e. passport or identity card)
• Travel document number (i.e. passport number) 
• Document expiry date
• Document issuing country
• Gender
• Date of birth

• Country of residence
• US Alien registration Card details (green card) for those who hold one
• Non-US citizens or those who do not hold an alien registration card, details of full address (street name and number, city, zip code and state) of the first night’s accommodation in the US

Or

• If you are in transit, your final destination*

*Transiting passengers are defined as those who transfer through the US for the purpose of continuing their journey to a third country, where the time period between arrival in and departure from the US does not exceed 8 hours.

Frequently asked questions
 
How do I supply you with this information?

A You can supply this information in advance for the USA.

For Spain and other countries, this information should be supplied at the airport.  We are currently making changes to our systems so that APIS information can be provided in advance.

For the USA

There are a number of ways you can provide us with this information and we strongly recommend you do this prior to arriving at the airport:

• Add the information at stage 5 (passenger details) of the online booking process
• Add the information via Manage your booking facility
• Via our reservations centre on 0870 60 70 555
• At check-in (we do, however, recommended that you provide the information using one of the above options to minimise check-in time)

What happens if I don’t supply you with the information?

A If you don’t supply us with the correct information then you will be unable to enter those countries, and therefore you will not be accepted for travel at check-in.

What if I don’t know the address of where I will be staying?

A If you can't provide a full address you will need to provide as much information as possible on where you will be staying.

If your accommodation is to be allocated on arrival then please provide the name of your agent in the US.

If you are taking a fly-drive holiday then you should provide the name and location of the car hire company and your first intended stopping point.

If you are joining a ship you should provide the vessel and cruise name plus the US City of embarkation.

If you are backpacking you should provide an indication of where you will spend your first night.

Do I need to provide this information if I am a US citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR)?

A No. If you are a US citizen then you need your US passport at check-in, if you are an LPR then you will need to provide your Alien registration card at check-in.

Can I supply this information to you online?

A Yes, for travel to the USA you can provide the information when you make a booking online.  You can also provide the information via our Manage Your Booking facility from the homepage or plan and book.  Simply enter your booking reference and surname and go to 'update your booking'.  You can 'update your details' including adding or amending your US address information. We are currently making changes so that this information can be added for other destinations.