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Passenger Information System improves air passenger security and prevents serious crime

by

The Police Board informs
9.11.2016

A new tool to fight terrorism and serious crime is on the way, with the introduction of the Passenger Information System in Finland later this year.

The Passenger Information System (PIU) collects data on passengers collected by airlines, which can be used to target people suspected of being involved in terrorism or other serious crime.

The collection of passenger data is based on the European Union's PNR Directive, which came into force in May. As required by the Directive, Finland has implemented a Passenger Information System and established a Passenger Information Processing Unit at the Central Criminal Police.

In Finland, the PNR project funded by the European Commission has been responsible for the preparation. The project involves the police, Customs and the Border Guard.

15 million air passengers last year

Last year, almost 15 million passengers travelled on international flights in Finland on the aircraft of around 250 different airlines. All cross-border air traffic is subject to data transfer.

Director of Customs Control Petri Lounatmaa stresses that the large volumes of goods and people involved in passenger and commercial transport, the speed of transport and the need for flexibility require cooperation between authorities. Risk analysis is in the interest of all stakeholders.

- In customs, it is important to target control measures according to the risks analysed. This is how we ensure the smooth flow of legal trade and passenger traffic in Customs' operations," says Petri Lounatmaa.

Passenger Information System to be launched later this year

A Passenger Information System is a technical tool for collecting passenger data. It contains information that airlines collect about passengers, such as flight reservation and check-in data. The system also collects advance passenger information such as name and nationality, as well as flight and itinerary information.

PNR Project Manager Kari Aaltion the Passenger Information System aims to improve air safety and prevent terrorism and serious crime.

- The Passenger Information System will be launched before the end of the year this year. The first operators will be connected in December. The information system is a joint effort of the police, Customs and the Border Guard," says Aaltio.

The Passenger Information Unit is linked to the Central Criminal Police Service

The Passenger Information Unit PIU started its operations on 1.11.2016 at the Central Criminal Police Department in Vantaa. The unit is part of the PTR Criminal Intelligence Unit and is managed by the national PTR Criminal Intelligence Centre. The competent authorities are therefore the Police, Customs and the Border Guard.

Forensic scientist Arto Tuomela The Central Criminal Investigation Department says that existing systems and data communication infrastructures will be used and developed for the reception of passenger data..

- The unit receives, analyses, transmits and responds to information," says Tuomela.

According to Tuomela, the data collected in the Passenger Information Unit can be used not only to fight terrorism, but also to fight serious crime, such as drug importation, trafficking in human beings and smuggling.

- Benefits can also be expected in the fight against cross-border crime, such as property crime and card skimming," says Tuomela.

Dedicated data protection officer for passenger data

Head of Information Management at the Police Board Jari Råman stresses that passenger data are processed by law enforcement authorities in accordance with the laws on the protection of personal data.

- A dedicated Data Protection Officer has been appointed for the processing of passenger data, who provides advice and supervision. He is the contact person for all matters relating to PNR data.

According to the Personal Data Act, the controller must draw up a register description. Passengers have the right to know whether the register contains data concerning them and, if so, what data.

- Everyone has the right to demand that factual errors are corrected and that data stored unlawfully is deleted," Råman stresses.

More information at on the Police Board's website at www.poliisi.fi/matkustajatieto

Further information: project manager Kari Aaltio, tel. 0295 481 697 (Police Board), criminal inspector Arto Tuomela, tel. 0295 486 670 (Central Criminal Police), information management manager Jari Råman, tel. 0295 481 721 (Police Board), head of unit Matti Lallukka, tel. 0295 412 162 (Border Guard), control director Petri Lounatmaa, tel. 0295 527 150 (media service, Customs).