In the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 attacks , the US government determined that PNRs ( both archived and real-time ) were invaluable tools for investigating and thwarting terrorist attacks . Accordingly , the US government has sought the collection , transfer and retention of PNRs by the US Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) Bureau of Customs and Border Protection
11 September 2001 attacks
September 11 attacks
United States–European Union Agreement on Passenger Name Records