A proposal gaining momentum within Germany’s Bundesrat (Federal Council) seeks to mandate identity checks for all air passengers, even on flights within the Schengen Area. The initiative, spearheaded by the state of Lower Saxony, aims to enhance security measures and improve investigative capabilities.
According to a spokesperson for the Lower Saxon Ministry of the Interior, the proposed amendment to the Aviation Security Act would require airlines to verify passenger identification against booking information before boarding. This measure is intended to confirm passenger identities and facilitate potential law enforcement investigations.
The Bavarian Ministry of the Interior echoed this support, with a spokesperson stating that Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, representing the Union of State Interior Ministers, fully endorses the initiative. The ministry believes the changes would significantly hinder individuals attempting to travel under false pretenses, including potential criminals and could help counteract illegal immigration.
However, the proposal is facing resistance from the aviation industry. The German Air Transport Association (BDL) has voiced concerns about the feasibility and effectiveness of such a requirement. A BDL spokesperson stated that airlines lack the necessary personnel and expertise to reliably verify the authenticity of travel documents. Simply comparing names is insufficient to identify individuals of security concern, the association argues and would necessitate access to police databases – a capability airlines do not possess. The BDL maintains that identity checks are a sovereign task for federal police, not private airlines and the proposed changes could ultimately prove ineffective in achieving its stated goals of combating terrorism and crime.