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The National Business Travel Association this week sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff expressing concern about the looming implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). As the January 13, 2009, deadline for use of the ESTA program by Visa Waiver Program travelers approaches rapidly, NBTA is extremely concerned about the conflicting messages from DHS. The final ESTA implementation notice published November 13, 2008, does not include any flexibility by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to waive the ESTA requirement. At the same time, CBP has informed international air carriers that the ESTA requirements will not be made mandatory on January 13 and that CBP has not determined when the requirement will be enforced either against air carriers or individual travelers.
NBTA believes it is crucial that the broader business and travel communities receive the same message in a format that can be communicated to the traveling public and those who are responsible for arranging their travel. The recent ESTA notice, which sends a “no flexibility” message, may send misleading and confusing signals to the community.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
