The introduction of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the UK is raising growing concerns about its impact on tourism, business travel and air transit. Although the system is not yet fully operational for all countries, the first effects are already being felt in some sectors, notably at regional airports and major international hubs.
Progressive implementation of ETA
The ETA is currently in force for citizens of Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.. The British government plans to extend this system to nationals of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland. early 2025and then to the rest of the world in autumn 2025.
The cost of ETA is set at 10 pounds sterling per person, in addition to existing travel costs. The application procedure is entirely online, via the UK government's official website. Travelers should submit their application at least several days before their planned departure.
Impact on airports and airlines
Regional airports in the UK have expressed serious concerns about the potential impact of ETA on passenger traffic. L'Liverpool John Lennon airportin particular, urged the government to reconsider the costs associated with ETA. John Irvingthe airport's CEO, urged ministers to abolish the £10 ETA fee, fearing that the extra burden would deter travelers and adversely affect regional air links.
The airport of Heathrowthe UK's largest airport, also expressed concern about the application of ETA to transit passengers. According to the airport, this measure places UK airports at a competitive disadvantage compared with EU hubs.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye stressed the need to exempt air transit passengers from the ETA program to maintain the competitiveness of the UK aviation industry. He said: "We need to level the playing field if the UK aerospace industry is to remain world-class..”
Effects on passenger traffic
Fewer transit passengers
Since the introduction of ETA, Heathrow has seen a significant drop in the number of transit passengers from Qatar.
The airport reported a decrease of 19,000 Qatari passengers in the first 4 months of the program.
This decline is worrying because many long-haul routes, crucial to the UK's economy, exports and connectivity, depend on transit passengers.
Short-term business travel could be particularly affected. Professionals accustomed to traveling to the UK for meetings or conferences will now have to plan their trips further in advance, which could reduce the flexibility of international trade.
Comparison with other travel authorization systems
To put the impact of the British ETA into perspective, here's a comparison with other similar systems around the world:
| Country/Region | System | Cost | Validity | Processing time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | ETA | 10 £ | 2 years | Several days |
| UNITED STATES | ESTA | 21 $ | 2 years | 72 hours |
| Canada | AVE | 7 CAD | 5 years | A few minutes |
| EU (future) | ETIAS | 7 € | 3 years | Up to 96 hours |
Government response
The Home Office justifies the introduction of ETAs as a means of enhancing security at the UK's borders. Applicants must provide biographical, biometric and contact details, as well as answer "aptitude questions“.
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