Posted on February 12, 2008 by Fiona Hilliard

European Union members are expressing their concerns over proposed new security measures for transatlantic air travel by the US administration, which could see armed guards on all flights from Europe to America by US airlines.
EU officials in Brussels have described plans to allow armed marshals onboard flights as “blackmail” and “troublesome”, and could even see west Europeans and Britons required to have US visas if their governments agree to Washington’s proposals.
According to a US document currently being circulated for signature in EU capitals, EU states would also have to supply personal data on all passengers overflying but not landing in the US in order to gain or retain visa-free travel in America.
The US department of homeland security is also planning to impose a new permit system for Europeans flying to the US, which will see travellers required to apply online for permission to enter the country before booking or buying a ticket.  The procedure could take up to several days.
The information taken from the US’s new electronic transport authorisation system is to be combined with personal passenger details already being provided by EU countriesto the US for the ‘profiling’ of potential terrorists and assessment of other security risks.
Brussels has told Washington that its new security demands raise legal problems in Europe over data protection, over guarantees on how the information is handled and over which US agencies have access to it or with whom it might be shared.
Commenting on the situation, Jonathan Faull, a senior European commision official said: “There is a process of consultation and coordination under way.  It’s controversial and difficult.”