African airlines and their industry representatives have pushed back against attempts to make carriers and passengers pay for government-run Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems, insisting that border security funding is the responsibility of states.
In a joint statement, the African Airlines Association, Airlines Association of Southern Africa, and International Air Transport Association said they support the deployment of API and PNR systems across the continent but warned the cost should not be passed to travellers or carriers. The associations cited ICAO's Policies on Charges for Airports and Air Navigation Services, which they said establishes border security as a government responsibility.
"Imposing API and PNR fees on airlines to fund government border security programs increases the cost of travel, undermines connectivity, and weakens the economic benefits that aviation generates through tourism, trade, and investment," the associations said, urging African governments to establish clear legal and operational frameworks, including data protection safeguards, before implementing the systems.