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BAR UK leads the industry on e-Borders initiative

e-Borders is central to Government thinking in the creation of an integrated, secure border for the21st century. Led by the Home Office's Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), e-Borders will rely on full and successful engagement with all types of passenger transportation operators.

e-Borders will affect every single airline flying into and out of the UK.

BAR UK had already initiated a day-long seminar for its members, to be run by the Home Office, in central London on 18 May, when it was then recognised that the seminar would be also valuable to others, especially UK charter operators, and no-frills airlines. With the full agreement of BAR UK, the seminar has been extended to include these airlines as well.

The key-note speaker will the newly-appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Home Office, Joan Ryan M.P.

BAR UK's Chairman, Robert Atkinson (Air Canada) said 'This seminar will serve two purposes. It will provide our members with the full understanding, in good time, as to the impacts that e-Borders could have on their processes and operations.

'It will also serve to provide the Home Office with a much fuller understanding of the variety of reservations and operational processes that are used by carriers and their handlers, and the solutions that may be required to comply with e-Borders requirements.'

Mike Carrivick, BAR UK Chief Executive, added 'The e-Borders programme is gaining momentum, and it has to be acknowledged that the Home Office is making every attempt to engage industry stakeholders. There are various strategic issues to resolve, but we are confident that these will be resolved through the joint Home Office/Industry engagement processes that now exist.

'I congratulate the Home Office on arranging the seminar, and taking the first-hand opportunity to listen to the needs of our many members.'

For editors:
BAR UK represents 92 scheduled airlines in the UK in their dealings with Government, Government departments, regulators and airport operators. Full details of its work can be found on www.bar-uk.org

For further information contact: Mike Carrivick, Chief Executive BAR UK
Tel: 020 7393 1261 Fax: 020 7393 1206 Email: mike.carrivick@bar-uk.org .