European Parliament will give the United States access to personal information about airline passengers.

Millions of airline customers’ personal data (PNR - Passenger Name Record) will be handed over to the United States Department of Homeland Security after MEPs of the European parliament voted 409 to 226 for new laws that it is claimed are crucial in tackling terrorism.

The PNR Data includes - names, addresses, ethnic origin, credit cards details and phone numbers, as well as religious meal choices and some sensitive health information. The agreement is applicable between flights between the EU and USA but not only airlines from there but also any carriers that are "incorporated or storing data" in the EU and operating flights to or from the US.

The data will be retained for 10 years under stricter access rules. 

The main concerns are privacy of such data and who will have access to it. Other pressure groups have raised the questions what if Russia or China should ask for the same information.

Duty Free shop purchases are not subject to this bill.