Current agreements give U.S. government agencies access to 34 categories of information on passengers flying to the United States. Similar measures exist for flights to Australia and New Zealand. The EU ministers are seeking to have this implemented on flights to and throughout the European Union.

These stepped-up surveillance moves come after British police detained 24 people without charges August 10 for alleged involvement in a plot to blow up airplanes during transatlantic flights. A 25th person was arrested August 15, but released the following day. Eleven were formally charged August 21 with “preparing acts of terrorism.” The others are being kept behind bars for 28 days without charges. Another 17 people are being held in Pakistan over the alleged plot.

A debate in the British press has begun over proposals by the Department of Transport to introduce “passenger profiling,” including ethnic origin and religious affiliation. Former London Metropolitan Police chief John Stevens said “young Muslim men” should be a focus of these security measures

Some of the other proposals discussed at the EU meeting were the blocking of access to websites that “provide information on how to make bombs or which advocate violence.”

British government officials say that strict new measures restricting carry-on luggage are to remain at UK airports. Some airline companies have protested the impact on their profits. Ryanair claims it has lost £2 million (US$3.8 million) because of these measures.  
 
 
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