TokyoTomo Travel Guide

Effective from January 12, 2009, the U.S. government requires travelers entering U.S. under the VWP ( Visa Waiver Program ) to apply and receive prior approval through the website of “ESTA” ( Electronic System of Travel Authorization ). Not all the airlines are yet on line with the ESTA and, therefore, some confusions were expected at check-in on the first day as Kazuyoshi Kaneko, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism had expressed his apprehension about the new requirement during the press interview. As of 19.00, January 13, approximately two days after the introduction, neither particular confusions nor troubles were reported by the airlines and the major travel agents, however.

Japan Airlines (JL), All Nippon Airways (NH) and Northwest Airlines (NW) commented, “No particular troubles were reported. Although several passengers showed up without prior on-line approval in the ESTA website, they managed to apply and receive on-line approval on the spot without any problems.” United Airlines (UA) also said, “At Kansai International Airport, all passengers were in possession of the prior on-line approval in the ESTA, while at Narita International Airport two passengers had to make an application before check-in.”

To ensure that customers know about the new requirement, JAL and ANA were calling attention of their customers with flight reservations to U.S. and also notifying the customers with a pop-up when making an internet booking.

Major travel agents also mentioned that, as far as they knew, no passengers failed to board the flights. Each major travel agent provides customers with the ESTA application service at a handling charge of 4000 yen to 6000 yen. No complications were reported, however.

Hankyu Express International said, “We don’t figure out exactly how many customers have used our application service, but we assume it is roughly 20% of our total customers bound for U.S. destinations. We see no big confusions.” JTB also responded, “Our customers have been notified of the requirement since last November and there should be no problems.”

Kinki Nippon Tourist (KNT) said, “Customers have been informed accordingly at our sales counters since last December. Our staff has also attended a workshop sponsored by the U.S. Embassy to respond to the ESTA. Nippon Travel Agency also commented, “Our offices have received inquiries from business travelers and customers without internet access, but, other than that, there was no trouble reported.” Thus, travelers seem to have been well familiarized with the ESTA thanks to the continuous notification by the U.S. Embassy, the travel agents and the airlines concerned.

As several airlines serving the transpacific route confirmed, the existing E/D card, an “I-94W” form, will be for the time being also used. It means that travelers holding the on-line approval in the ESTA are also required to fill out an E/D card aboard the flight.

The on-line system, compatible with the ESTA enabling airlines to check the approval during check-in, has been already introduced by ANA. The introduction is expected by the end of January by JAL, followed by Northwest Airlines in late March. United Airlines is also planning on the introduction although unknown exactly when.

Source: Travel Vision

Travel Vision Inc. provides information on the travel industry in Japan via "Daily Travel Vision", a Japanese-language e-mail newsletter, and the "Travel Vision" website. There are nearly 110,000 people working in the Japanese travel industry, and Travel Vision is proud to be bringing travel news to more than 30,000 people through Daily Travel Vision.