Figures in the Airline industry and business leaders have criticised the US Homeland Security plan to require millions of visitors to the US to register using an online system a minimum of three days before their arrival. Critics claim that tourism will suffer under the plans, and the US’s reputation will only be further damaged internationally.

The aim of the registration scheme is to tighten the country’s border security by allowing US immigration authorities additional time to investigate possible terrorist links and immigration issues with all travellers arriving from 27 friendly nations. The registration programme will be in force from January 12th.

Among those who will be required to register online are citizens of countries such as Great Britain, Italy and Spain.

Under current rules, the US government receives all passenger records just 30 minutes before flights depart.

The new scheme will have no impact on US citizens, but will apply to the 14 million foreign nationals who are eligible to participate in the visa-waiver program, who are currently allowed to stay in the US for up to 90 days without applying for a visa.

Opposition from airports and airlines has also been voiced, with claims that the scheme will see many travellers barred from flights bound for the US as a result of being unaware of the requirement to register online in advance.

A representative of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Steve Lott said: “The U.S. already has a bad reputation in terms of the difficulty of international travel, and this could make it even worse. We foresee a lot of passengers getting to the airport having no idea what the new programme is.”

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