EU envoys back air passenger data deal with U.S.

LUXEMBOURG, Oct 6 (Reuters) European Union ambassadors approved a last-minute deal clinched today with the United States on the transfer of personal data on transatlantic air passengers to U.S.

authorities to help combat terrorism, an EU presidency spokesman said.

Under the agreement, which replaces a pact invalidated by the EU's highest court on a legal technicality, U.S. law enforcement agencies will be given easier access to travellers' personal records such as addresses and credit card details.

American and European officials negotiated through the night by video conference to fill a legal vacuum, which airlines had warned could expose them to breach of privacy suits or cause travel chaos.

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