Travel industry grumbling over proposed data-collection requirements Sat Jul 6, 9:15 AM ET LONDON - Airlines and travel agents are complaining that a government proposal to require them to gather more information from passengers for security purposes could add an hour to flight check-in times. The Home Office said Friday it wants to require travel companies and carriers to record airline passengers' date and place of birth and their gender, among other personal details. The requirement must be approved by Parliament. The Home Office said revisions to the data collection requirements were necessary to combat terrorism following the Sept. 11 attacks on America. "We recognize it may take time to introduce this," a spokeswoman said on customary condition of anonymity. "There will be staggered lead-in times to ensure it is not an imposition." But travel companies complained the proposed change would add time and expense to flying, and the Daily Mail newspaper described it under the headline "Nightmare at Check-In." "We are being lumbered with something that will cost a tremendous amount to bring in and we fear holidays will have to rise in price," said a spokeswoman for the travel company Thomson Holidays. "The information they are asking will be impossible to gather at an airport without travel grinding to a halt, so it will have to be done at travel agents or any other point at which people make a booking," she continued. Newspapers said many British airlines were also opposing the proposed requirements, believing they would create red tape without enhancing security. The Home Office said Saturday that the industry had not shared such concerns with the government during consultations about the proposed change, adding that Home Secretary David Blunkett was inviting airline executives to a meeting next week to discuss their worries. "They are operating a business and we acknowledge that, but there was no talk of chaos for air travelers," a Home Office spokesman said. "We don't think it will in fact cause an hour's delay." "Everyone has a part to play in the fight against terrorism," he added. "How much can asking a couple of questions or sending a letter out cost? It can't be much." --------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? New! SBC Yahoo! Dial - 1st Month Free & unlimited access