Transfers of data

On 12 February 2026, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) Trainees organise the conference Data takes flight: Navigating privacy at the airport. The conference will raise awareness about what happens to personal data when travelling by air and encourage a critical and informed discussion about data protection, security, and the usage of personal data in this context.

When: 12 February, 14:00 to 17:00 (GMT+1, Brussels time, ending with a networking coffee)

Where: European Parliament Zweig Building (Agora), Brussels, Belgium and Online

• Register here

From entering personal data during the booking procedure to scanning passports at security – personal data is collected and used at many different stages when travelling by air. Passengers may not always be aware of how many actors, databases, and systems interact with their data each time they take a flight. Therefore, at this conference, we aim to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the journey personal data takes with every flight.

Air travel illustrates the complexity of modern data ecosystems. Together with experts from different backgrounds, we will look at the current and potential future state of how passengers’ personal data is collected and used in airports, and what this means for privacy.

The presentations and discussions touch upon:

• The lifecycle of passengers’ personal data in the context of air travel – from booking to boarding
• The balance of public security objectives and passengers’ rights to privacy and data protection
• The influence of technologies like biometrics
• The future implementation of data systems on the handling and protection of passengers’ data

As every traveller becomes part of this complex data ecosystem, the conference aims to make it more relatable and understandable. Staying true to the tradition of the Trainees Conference, the event provides a platform for young professionals to engage with experts, deepen their understanding of current data protection issues, and reflect on what they should keep in mind the next time they enter an airport.

Preliminary Agenda

The final agenda will be uploaded soon.

Opinion 30/2025 on the signing and conclusion of an Agreement between the EU and the Swiss Confederation on the transfer of Passenger Name Record data

EDPS Formal comments on the draft Commission Implementing Regulation on setting out the technical specifications and other requirements for the decentralised IT system, as referenced in Regulation (EU) 2023/2844 for the electronic service of documents through the European electronic access point.

EDPS Formal comments on the draft Commission Implementing Regulation laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards the information communicated by customs authorities.

EDPS Opinion 27/2025 on the Proposals for Council Decisions on the signing and conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Digital Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Korea