In aviation time is everything. The next departure is already being prepped when the last one touches down. So, when your screening tool raises a red flag, you have two options: to dig into the details very quickly or delay the flight.
However, what if this stressful and delaying hitch turns out to be a false alert? Well, this scenario of a false positive where someone gets flagged as a potential match to a sanctions list but isn’t actually a threat is one of the biggest hidden burdens in compliance today. So much so, research shows false positives account for up to 90-95% of sanctions screening alerts in high-compliance sectors, especially when using legacy tools or basic keyword matching.* It makes you wonder just how far the knock-on effects really go.
The high amount of false positives happen because sanction lists are complex and constantly changing, as well as aviation workflows being fast, high-pressured and filled with moving parts. Added to these factors, there are almost an infinite amount of names, surnames, variations of names, unfamiliar names and spelling differences of the same names globally. Also, in some cases passengers may not have fully updated all their documentation correctly following marriages, divorces or changes of names. In an industry that constantly deals with all these different details that have to be accurate, something as minor as common names, such as Mohamed, Lee or John Smith can lead to big holdups. Also, just to add another potential problem to the mix is the possibility of the lack of supporting data, such as a name without the date of birth.
If, on top of all of these matters that could very easily create an error, you are also dealing with outdated or static lists which do not update in real time, you are literally chasing ghosts. In the middle of a busy day in the ops room, no one has the time to investigate each one individually.
Although false positives may seem harmless once clarified, the process of investigating and double-checking every single aspect is draining time-wise, adds pressure, can damage your reputation and create an unnecessary risk.
Every single false alert is reflected in flight delays, calls to the broker, operator and/or passenger. It also means that a compliance officer has to drop whatever they are in the middle of doing in order to verify the identity as well as potentially cost the breach of customer confidence. In some cases a 5 min delay alone can already turn into a missed slot or a lost client.
However, these high rates of false positives when entering the data manually can be drastically reduced with the right tools. paxfiles.com was built specifically for aviation workflows, where time and accuracy isn’t optional, but essential.
Beyond Basic Screening: paxfiles.com delivers more.
- Less Noise. More Certainty
From global watchlists to regional and industry-specific sources, paxfiles.com delivers real-time sanctions screening with industry-leading coverage and fully automated checks—reducing both risk and false positives.
- Adjustable Matching Confidence
paxfiles.com gives you control over how sensitive the screening is. With adjustable probability thresholds, you can tailor the matching to your workflow reducing the noise.
- Live List Updates
Sanctions lists update as often as every 30 minutes (or as permitted), so you’re always screening against accurate data.
- Automation That Fits Your Workflow
paxfiles.com connects to your operations platform, which means screening happens automatically in the background without the need of time-consuming copy-pastes and double-checks. It provides clear results every time when you need them.
- Private List Management
Use your Private Blacklist for stricter internal blocking, and a Private Whitelist to instantly clear trusted names as green.
- Date of Birth
Advanced name matching, DOB logic and tunable probability thresholds cut false positives while catching real risk.
Learn more and read the full article in the latest issue of the IFOA Foxtrot Delta Magazine (Edition 5). We look forward to seeing you there!
When it comes to passenger list screening, paxfiles.com adds extreme efficiency and helps your team focus only on real threats, not random matches. Just imagine how many wasted minutes of valuable time and energy false positives equate to.
If you’re ready to give your sanctions list screening process an overhaul, book a demo today!
*While this statistic originates from financial compliance, the same screening issues are common across all high-compliance sectors, including aviation, where speed, data variation, and regulatory pressure intersect.
