20 October 2010

South Africa to continue monitoring inbound travellers

South Africa will continue to use the Advance Passenger Processing (APP) system to screen tourists coming into the country. The system was first installed prior to the 2010 World Cup to stop travellers whose names appeared on South Africa's Visa and Entry Stop List or watch lists provided by Interpol and soccer’s governing body, FIFA, from entering South Africa.
The APP system, provided by IT specialist SITA (State Information Technology Agency), effectively moves the country’s borders to the point of departure. It allows airlines and governments to transfer passport details in an interactive and real-time manner, enabling instructions to be sent as passengers check in, to prevent those who would be denied entry to the country from boarding the aircraft. As it eliminates fines associated with the transportation of inadmissible travellers, airlines flying to South Africa are expected to save millions of dollars in processing and repatriation fees. The system was first used to handle visitors to the 2000 Olympic games in Australia, and was now also being used in Bahrain, Kuwait and New Zealand. [src.]

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