Heathrow Airport has raised concerns about the impact of a new £10 fee for transit passengers as part of the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme in the UK. The airport claims that including transit passengers in this scheme is putting the country’s hub airports at a competitive disadvantage.
The ETA scheme, which began in November 2023, requires passengers entering Britain without a visa to pay a £10 fee and provide biographic, biometric, and contact details, as well as answer suitability questions. While initially enforced for nationals of certain countries, it will be extended to include passengers from the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and eventually the rest of the world.
Heathrow argues that applying the ETA to transit passengers, even those passing through without stopping, is impacting the airport’s competitiveness. The airport has seen a decrease in transit passengers from certain countries since the implementation of ETAs, potentially affecting long-haul routes and the UK’s economy.
The Home Office defends the ETAs as a measure to enhance border security and cement the UK’s position as a world leader in this area. However, Heathrow’s chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, urges the government to exempt airside transit passengers from the ETA scheme to maintain the UK’s aviation industry’s world-class status.
Despite these concerns, Heathrow reported a record number of passengers in March, with a significant increase in the Asia-Pacific market. The airport continues to strive for excellence but calls for action to level the playing field and ensure the UK remains a competitive destination for transit passengers.