The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has expressed strong opposition to the UK Home Office’s proposal to raise the cost of UK Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) by 60%, increasing the fee to GBP 16.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, criticized the timing and implications of the proposed hike, stating: “Introducing a 60% increase in ETA costs just days after launching the system is baffling. Such a move would harm the UK’s appeal as a tourism destination. In November, the government announced plans to grow annual tourist arrivals by 30%, reaching 50 million by 2030, to capitalize on the economic benefits of tourism. Raising the ETA fee so steeply is counterproductive. This increase would add to the already high Air Passenger Duty (APD)—the world’s highest travel tax—which is set to rise again in April. Travelers also have options, and the EU’s ETIAS offers far better value, costing a third of the proposed ETA fee and lasting a year longer.”
Walsh urged the UK government to consider the broader implications, adding: “By improving cost competitiveness, the UK stands to benefit greatly from increased tourism and the significant tax revenue it generates. Penalizing travelers with high upfront costs is not the way to achieve this.”
The aviation and tourism sector plays a vital role in the UK economy, supporting 1.6 million jobs and contributing $160.7 billion to GDP.
