Laos keep tabs on passengers

VIENTIANE Laos plans to introduce an Advanced Passenger Processing System at three international airports (Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse) to improve security and to share data with second and third countries served by airlines from Laos.

The new system, known as “Advance Passenger Processing” (APP) aims to tackle terrorism by identifying suspects before they board an aircraft or reach their final destination.

Vientiane Times reported that Thailand’s Somapa Information Technology Plc will implement the system in Laos.

Ministry of Public Security  and Immigration Police Department general director, Lieutenant Colonel Saisaming Sivilay, was quoted saying the information gathered by the system is passed directly to the Immigration Police Department in Laos and to immigration officials at the passenger’s final destination country.

The high security system is particularly aimed at preventing terrorism as it monitors passenger profiles at the airport and shares data in advance of boarding with overseas security agencies.

The software used can check whether any passenger is blacklisted, and is therefore a potential security risk.

“It is very important to have security information on passengers before they board a flight …using this system will prevent suspected terrorists or criminals from entering the country or using it as at a transit point to reach other destinations,” he said.

Laos is the third country to introduce this system in ASEAN after Myanmar and Thailand, the report said.

In Thailand, six airports under Airports of Thailand supervision currently use the system including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai, according to Thailand’s Advance Passenger Processing Service website.

Minimum data required for APPS processing: Passport number; nationality code (ICAO), as stated in the passport or travel document and family name. Given name, date of birth and gender might have to be provided if the system cannot match the passenger from the minimum data.