Air passengers flying to the US may have to board their
planes an hour before take-off to allow for more rigorous
security checks. US Homeland Security undersecretary
Asa Hutchinson said the current practice of airlines
giving the names of passengers to US officials 15 minutes
after take-off did not make sense. Officials want
the information earlier so they can check travellers'
details against those of suspects on their security watch
lists before the plane is in the air, he said.

The airline industry responded by saying any proposals
needed careful discussion, adding that they could cause
problems with connecting flights and increase the number
of passengers who book seats on flights and then fail to
show up.

Under a deal signed in May 2004, the United States is able
to access personal information on every passenger flying
from the 25 European Union countries, and since October
2004 most visitors to the United States have needed scans
of their faces and fingers taken under its new US-VISIT
program.