On a recent return frlight from Lima to MEX, upon check in at Aeromexico I had to present my passport while waiting in line for the picturepage to be photocopied. When i got to the counter, I was asked to sign the photocopy, which the agent kept. All passengers had to do this.

I had never been asked to do this before on any international flight.

I also noticed that Lan Chile was doing the same thing, as was AeroContinental on it's international flights.

Does anybody know what this is all about? I know that some airlines wil electronically scan your passport upon check in. Is this just the manual way of accomplishing this?