The European Union will give Canberra 19 pieces of personal information on passengers traveling to Australia at least 72 hours before their flights, after EU ministers backed an anti-terrorism deal on Thursday.
The EU has signed air passenger data-sharing deals with the United States and Canada.
Under the deal, Canberra will be allowed to keep data that includes passenger names and addresses, billing information, travel itinerary, frequent flyer status and baggage information for up to five and a half years.
The data can be used only in the fight against terrorism, or transnational crimes, the deal says. An EU official said the deal would enter into force soon but gave no date.
The deal signed with the United States is more stringent, and allows Washington to keep data for 15 years.
