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ARINC delivers APIS Passenger data network for Bermuda immigration authorities
ARINC Incorporated announced it has installed a high speed data network for the Bermuda Department of Immigration (DoIM) to streamline the screening of airline and cruise ship passengers traveling to Bermuda.

The British Overseas Territory of Bermuda hosts more than 500,000 visitors every year. It joins a growing list of countries adopting Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) rules that require commercial airlines, charter airlines, and cruise lines to forward electronic identification lists of passengers and crew well before actual arrival at their destinations.

Under a 2008 contract, ARINC recently completed a primary APIS data connection using ARINC’s private global AviNet network, and a backup data connection using the Internet. ARINC will also provide a custom software capability to accommodate private vessels and charter vessels.

“The ability to receive and handle standardized passenger information electronically has streamlined our passenger-checking workload and significantly reduced paperwork,” stated Rozy M. Azhar, DoIM Assistant Chief Immigration Officer. “We are very pleased with the performance of the ARINC system and with ARINC’s services.”

Last year, ARINC installed a similar APIS network for ten Caribbean countries, members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) hosting the 2007 Cricket World Cup. That APIS network is credited with helping officials identify and turn away more than 1500 “undesirable persons” headed for the Cricket Cup. The network has been retained in operation since the World Cup event by law enforcement authorities.

“Although APIS information can be transmitted by e-mail and over the Internet, ARINC recommended the AviNet network as the primary connection for Bermuda,” stated Ty Robertshaw, ARINC Director of Business Development, Aviation Networks. “A private, fully-managed IP network brings added reliability and assurance of operational performance that simply cannot be obtained with the use of a public Internet connection.”

Both the primary, dedicated ARINC AviNet circuit and the back-up MQ over the InternetSM circuit at Bermuda interface into Bermuda immigration servers equipped with AviNet ConnectorTM software to provide message assurance and network protocol. To ensure high performance and reliability of message delivery the AviNet global network includes switching equipment and Telephone company (Telco) services that are redundant throughout its wide area network (WAN) backbone.

ARINC provides extensive network transport and enhanced API messaging application services for the airline and cruise ship community, connecting them to government border control agencies including those of the United States, CARICOM, South Korea, and now Bermuda. APIS data is transmitted by airlines to the requesting border control system as a flight manifest message after the flight closes and prior to arrival at the requesting country.

ARINC Incorporated, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, provides communications, engineering and integration solutions for commercial, defense and government customers worldwide. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland with regional headquarters in London and Singapore, ARINC is ISO 9001:2000 certified. Vicky Karantzavelou - Wednesday, July 23, 2008