Airlines fear fines for breaking EU data rules without Brexit deal

Airlines are warning they face large fines for breaking strict European rules on the exchange of passenger data for flights into the UK from next month should trade talks with the EU collapse. Their concerns centre on the omission of how passenger data should be handled in EU contingency plans to keep planes flying in the event of a no-deal Brexit, according to two people familiar with the matter. Airlines are now in talks with the UK government on personal data transfers when the UK’s EU transition period runs out at the end of December, said these people. Personal data, including names, means of payment and travel itineraries, is collected for each passenger travelling between the EU and UK. This is then passed to British authorities to counter terrorism and serious crime. Airlines say the transfer of data to the UK will no longer conform to Europe’s General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) for personal data on passengers unless a legal arrangement can be reached. This means airlines could be fined under the EU’s GDPR data privacy provisions if they pass on the passenger information. EC fines can rise as high as E20m, or 4% of a company’s turnover, although they must be proportionate to each individual case. Airlines could also face fines of up to GBP10,000 per flight for refusing to hand over data to UK authorities. The issue affects most UK and European carriers, including Lufthansa and Air France-KLM. Story has more.<br/>