US. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that “chaos will result” if the US does not extend its deadline for countries in the US visa waiver programme to issue passports with biometric features.
Not only would travellers be turned away from the country if they did not have these passports after 26 October, the action could also spark “tit-for-tat reprisals from other governments” frustrated by the process.
IATA director general and chief executive officer Giovanni Bisignani noted that the decision to use passports with biometric features was taken to improve security and that should not be compromised by a stubborn adherence to the deadline.
“A practical focus on security is essential. We cannot risk creating a situation where international travel, trade and commerce could be compromised by political one-upmanship in response to unrealistic demands. The economic implications would be serious without any positive impact on security,” he said.
Most of the 27 countries whose citizens need not apply for a visa to enter the US, including the UK, Ireland, Japan, Spain, Italy, would not be able to securely issue their citizens with passports before the deadline.
Even the US itself has problems meeting the deadline.
In fact, Bisignani’s call to the House Judiciary Committee echoes that of the Bush Administration, which wants the process to extended by two years.
The lawmakers will hold a hearing on the issue today (Wednesday).
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