The final rule still requires that flight information and passenger manifests for aircraft arriving and departing the United States be filed via the electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS), but now both legs can be filed at the same time, as far in advance as pilots want. The only stipulation is that it must be filed no later than 60 minutes prior to departure. Pilots also can update their plan in flight because of changing weather or other conditions. Previously, pilots would have needed to submit that information one hour before each leg. The agency will be checking the manifest against terrorist watch lists—an action that was mandated by Congress.
AOPA and its members had requested that pilots departing the United States not be subject to the flight information and passenger manifest requirements. The association also had suggested that aircraft weighing less than 12,500 pounds be exempt from the rule.
Regarding filing passenger manifests electronically, the agency softened its stance but did not waive the requirement. The manifests can be submitted online at the same time as the flight information, and CBP should have a response (approval or denial) for the pilot within minutes.
For pilots flying into remote areas that do not have Internet access, they can complete the process over the telephone, radio, or existing means, such as flight service. This is a point that AOPA had stressed throughout the process. A survey of members revealed that 63 percent of them do not have Internet access at their point of departure in neighboring countries.