SWITZERLAND / ENGLAND – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) opposes the UK Home Office proposal to increase the costs of UK Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) by 60 percent to GBP 16.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, commented as follows:
“Proposing to increase ETA costs just a week after the system was introduced is bewildering. If implemented it would be a self-inflicted blow to the UK’s tourism competitiveness. In November the government laid out plans to increase tourist arrivals by 30 percent to reach 50 million annually by 2030 in pursuit of tourism’s economic benefits.
“Gouging these travellers with a 60 percent increase in the ETA is a very bad start. The added cost would come on top of the Air Passenger Duty (APD)—the biggest travel tax in the world—which itself will increase again in April. And let’s not forget that travellers have choice and the EU’s ETIAS will be far better value—costing about a third as much as this proposed pricing and lasting a year longer.
“It’s time for the UK government to see the big picture. It has everything to gain by making the UK a more cost-competitive travel destination—including the substantial tax revenues that travellers generate. It makes no sense to discourage visitors with high costs even before they set foot in the country.”
UK aviation and tourism supports 1.6 million jobs currently, providing USD 160.7 billion to the UK’s GDP. Visit IATA Value of Air Transport to the United Kingdom study for further details.
With air travel already facing various challenges, additional costs like this can significantly impact passenger demand and international connectivity.
I really appreciated how you outlined the concerns of airlines, particularly how the increased cost of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) could discourage travelers, especially those from visa-exempt countries who previously had easier access to the UK. Given that tourism and business travel contribute significantly to the economy, it’s understandable why airlines are pushing back against this change.
Your discussion on the potential effects on Caribbean and global travelers was particularly insightful. Many travelers may now rethink their plans due to the added financial burden, which could affect not just airlines but also hotels, local businesses, and other sectors that rely on international visitors.