A Passenger Locator Form (PLF) is an official travel document that records a traveller’s contact details, travel itinerary, and seat information.
It helps health, safety, and border authorities trace passengers in case of emergencies, such as contagious diseases or public health alerts.
Learn More About the Definition of Passenger Locator Form
The Passenger Locator Form was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic as a mandatory requirement for many countries.
Its purpose is to allow authorities to contact passengers after arrival if exposure to a risk (like infection or contamination) is detected on a particular flight.
Although many countries have since relaxed or discontinued PLF requirements, some still use them — especially for international arrivals or health-related monitoring.
Typical information included in a PLF:
- Passenger’s full name and contact details
- Passport or ID number
- Flight number, date, and seat
- Travel itinerary (departure, transit, and destination countries)
- Accommodation address or contact in the destination country
When is a Passenger Locator Form required?
A PLF is typically required when:
- You’re travelling to or from countries that request advance contact tracing information.
- Public health emergencies are active (e.g. outbreaks, pandemics).
- The destination country’s border authority mandates pre-arrival registration.
Some EU countries, such as Greece and Italy, introduced national PLF portals during COVID-19 that remained in partial use for a time.
The EU Digital Passenger Locator Form (EU dPLF) system was also developed for cross-border coordination — though its use is now mostly suspended.
Why does it matter?
Even though Passenger Locator Forms are no longer widely required, they remain part of modern air travel protocols and may return in future emergency situations.
Keeping an accurate PLF ensures compliance with local entry requirements and avoids boarding refusals, fines, or delays at immigration.
For AireClaim customers, understanding PLFs matters because boarding denial due to missing documentation (such as a PLF) is not eligible for EU261 compensation — as it’s the passenger’s responsibility to hold all required travel documents.
How does AireClaim help with Passenger Locator Form?
If your flight was disrupted due to airline or operational causes (not documentation issues), AireClaim can help you claim compensation under EU261/UK261.
We verify whether the denied boarding or delay was caused by the airline or a missing passenger form — ensuring transparency and compliance.
You only pay a success fee if we win.
- Start here: Check eligibility & start your flight claim
- Read more: Passenger Rights under EU261
FAQs about What is a Passenger Locator Form
In most countries, no. The EU Digital PLF system was suspended in 2022, and national forms were gradually phased out. However, it may still apply in specific health or border-control cases. Learn more in EU Regulation 261.
You might be refused boarding or entry to the destination country. Airlines are legally required to verify that passengers have submitted the PLF when applicable. Learn more in Flight Disruption.
No. EU261/UK261 only covers disruptions caused by the airline, not by missing or incorrect documentation. The airline is not responsible for entry-requirement compliance. Learn more in EU261 Regulation.