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DRAFT OPINION (COM(2024)0670 – C10-0124/2024 – 2024/0670(COD))

On the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an application for the electronic submission of travel data (“EU Digital Travel application”) and amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399 and (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, as regards the use of digital travel credentials

TRAN-PA-771838

Committee on Transport and Tourism · Rapporteur: Gheorghe Falcă

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The rapporteur's draft opinion supports the proposed regulation establishing an EU Digital Travel application for submitting travel data electronically using digital travel credentials. It says digital credentials should improve security and fraud prevention, allow pre-checks before arrival, speed up border crossings and set a uniform EU-wide standard. It asks that the rules not harm legitimate travellers, help authorities plan control capacity at airports and let carriers process information faster at check-in. It calls for strong data protection with travellers in control of their digital identities, close involvement of carriers in implementation and clear guidelines for member states. It says eu-LISA should receive the resources needed for the router under the Union budget.

Committee position. The rapporteur strongly supports adopting the proposed regulation. He asks that it not harm legitimate travellers, help authorities plan airport control capacity, let carriers process information faster at check-in, protect data and traveller control, involve carriers and give member states clear guidelines.

Key points

  1. Rising traveller volumes and physical document checks have led to longer waiting times at border-crossing points.
  2. Digital travel credentials are meant to reduce identity fraud and cross-border crime by enhancing document verification.
  3. Authorities could carry out pre-checks before a traveller arrives, improving resource allocation and reducing congestion.
  4. Travellers could submit digital credentials in advance for faster and more convenient border crossings.
  5. A uniform EU-wide standard should ensure consistency across member states and compatibility with international standards.
  6. The rapporteur supports adoption but says the regulation must not worsen the travel experience of legitimate travellers.
  7. The rules should let authorities estimate in advance the control capacity needed at airports.
  8. Carriers transporting passengers in and out of the EU and Schengen area should be able to process information more efficiently and faster at check-in.
  9. The regulation should help air carriers automatically collect travel data for the future API framework, producing accurate and reliable data.
  10. Strong data protection must be maintained and travellers must retain full control over their digital identities.
  11. Carriers, especially air transport and other travel stakeholders, must be closely involved in implementation to integrate with existing and upcoming systems and minimise disruptions.
  12. Clear guidelines for member states should prevent inconsistencies and ensure equal treatment of all travellers across EU borders.

Who is affected

  • Travellers, who could submit digital credentials in advance and should keep control over their digital identities.
  • Carriers, especially air carriers, who should be involved in implementation and process information faster at check-in.
  • Member states, which need clear guidelines to apply the framework consistently.
  • eu-LISA, which should receive the necessary resources for the router under the Union budget.
  • The transport and tourism sectors, which stand to benefit from modernised border management.