A new European Union directive has recently come into effect. 

For flights between certain designated countries, including the UK and Turkey, Advanced Passenger Information (API) is now required.  

Essentially, this is the information contained within your passport.  Details must be provided between 3 months and 7 days before departure.  Clearly, if you are booking to fly within 7 days, this does not apply.

This requirement applies to all carriers.  If you book your flight online you should be prompted to complete the required details.

A word of caution though.  We checked the Thomas Cook website and found a web page asking for API, which was not secure - i.e. a normal http://www site rather than a secure site https://www.

We have drawn this to their attention, and they have said they will deal with it.  They also provided us with an alternative address, which was secure.

You should only input such sensitive details on a secure web page.  As well as the https:// address, you should also see a padlock icon in the bottom corner of your web browser.

The popular KTLN Flight & Travel Information page has been updated with this information. This page is only available to registered members.