US could seek more data on passengers

US officials may seek to expand agreements that demand that airlines supply sensitive data on passengers arriving from Europe, said a senior Homeland Security official.

The plan could go beyond an existing deal with the European Union that allows transatlantic airlines to transfer credit card, e-mail addresses, passport, travel itineraries and other data belonging to European passengers to US officials.

Rand Beers, head of the Department of Homeland Security's protection division, said discussions had begun with the Spanish Government to gauge the possibilities of a fresh pan-European deal.

"One of the things that we are looking at is whether or not it might be more appropriate to have a overarching or umbrella agreement with the European Union," he said. "We still have a considerable way to go in terms of the exchange of data between ourselves and our European allies."

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