Summary: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued its “Final Rule on Secure Flight” which shifts pre-departure watch list matching responsibilities from individual airlines to the (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Under the new rule, which became effective December 29, 2008, the TSA mandates that air carriers request passengers to provide specific information and that it be added to their reservations. The required information is known as Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) and includes the passenger’s:

• Itinerary
• Full name that matches a non-expired government issued identification document
• Date of birth
• Gender

Airline passengers will need to make sure that their passenger name (including last name, first name, or middle initial, etc.) on all travel documents exactly matches the name on their government-issued identification shown at the airport. In addition, travelers may want also to make sure that their passenger name and other identification data are in synch with all travel agency profiles (both private and corporate) and frequent flyer/rewards programs, to ensure proper crediting of accounts.