The European Commission has proposed the conclusion of agreements with Norway and Iceland that would allow the exchange of air passenger data with the two countries. The announcement was made on Wednesday through an official statement by the Commission.
Enhanced cooperation on law enforcement
Under the proposed agreements, Norwegian and Icelandic authorities would gain access to Passenger Name Record (PNR) data related to flights to and from EU member states. This information includes details such as travel dates, itineraries, ticket information, and payment methods, and is commonly used in criminal investigations.
According to the Commission, the measure aims to “strengthen cooperation between the EU, Norway and Iceland on law enforcement,” particularly in the fight against terrorism and serious cross-border crime. This includes combating drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and human trafficking.
Legal safeguards and next steps
The agreements would be subject to strict data protection standards, in line with EU legislation. The exchange of PNR data must comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on data retention and privacy rights.
Before entering into force, the proposed agreements must receive the approval of the Council of the European Union, which represents the governments of the member states. If endorsed, the deals would formalise and expand existing cooperation frameworks between the EU and two key non-EU members of the Schengen area.
Geopolitical context and Schengen relevance
While not members of the EU, both Norway and Iceland participate in the Schengen Agreement, which allows for the abolition of internal border controls. The sharing of passenger data would further align their security cooperation with EU standards, reinforcing the integrated approach to border and internal security.
The move is part of the EU’s broader strategy to enhance data-driven policing and preventive intelligence sharing across the continent, amid persistent concerns over transnational threats and the misuse of international travel routes by criminal networks.
