ACTE Press Release

Immediate Release!

ACTE Seeks Immunity For Carriers In Data Privacy Fight

Dublin, 14 October 2003 – The Association of Corporate Travel Executives has asked that all international carriers be granted immunity from prosecution, fines, or restricted operations to and from the United States -- until the European Union and the United States can come to an agreement on the data privacy issue. The request was part of a communication adding the association's voice to the growing apprehension by the European Commission regarding the extent, the use, and the storage of PNR data currently demanded by the U.S. government.

Meeting in Dublin this week to discuss the impact of key issues on international business travel, sessions on data privacy drew heavy interest from the 950 delegates, representing 15 billion euros in annual business travel expenditures.

"There is a great deal of concern in the business travel community that the present data privacy stalemate could result in unnecessary fines to carriers -- by either government -- or restrictions in service," said Mark Williams, ACTE's president.

A survey conducted during today's general assembly concluded that an overwhelming majority — 93 percent -- of conference participants directed the association's stance. Sent from the floor of the Association's Global Conference in Dublin this morning, the communication not only reflects the opinion of the group's European constituents, but the majority of its U.S.-based members as well. In February, 82 percent of U.S. respondents to an ACTE poll found government requests for traveller background information to be excessive and invasive. Recent ACTE recommendations to the Transportation Safety Administration criticise the CAPPS II programme (Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System) as incomplete and likely to have a negative impact on air travel at a critical time.

"ACTE believes the proper course of action is to promote the recovery of the international transportation industry by exempting carriers from prosecution, fines, or restricted operation, as opposed to issuing threats to the airlines," said Association President Mark Williams.

In a previous statement, Williams recommended that PNR data be restricted to "those immediately involved" in the travel process, until the appropriate legal and technical safeguards can be determined and applied.

To view the letter written to EU Commissioner, Frits Bolkestein from ACTE President, Mark Williams, click here.

CONTACT:
Europe: Philippe Leonard +32-2-743-1589
North America: Jack Riepe 1-610-256-0124
www.acte.org