Travel to the UK is set to become more expensive, with a price hike for the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) permit, just weeks after its introduction.
Visitors from European countries will not need to apply for an ETA until April, but for other international travelers, the permit became mandatory on January 8. However, less than a month into the scheme, the UK Home Office has announced plans to raise the cost of the ETA.
The proposed change will see the ETA fee increase from £10 (€11.82) to £16 (€18.91), a 60% rise. The positive news for some is that transit passengers, those merely passing through the UK without entering, will no longer be required to pay the fee. The Home Office says this adjustment aims to reduce the dependence on taxpayer funding for the migration and borders system, estimating the increase will generate £269 million (€318 million) annually.
The price hike is still subject to approval by the UK Parliament, but if passed, it will be implemented swiftly. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents over 340 airlines worldwide, has voiced strong opposition to the proposed increase.
“Proposing to increase ETA costs just a week after the system was introduced is bewildering,” said IATA director general Willie Walsh. “If implemented, it would be a self-inflicted blow to the UK’s tourism competitiveness.”
Walsh also pointed out that in November, the UK government committed to boosting tourism by 30%, with a goal of attracting 50 million visitors by 2030. “Gouging these travellers with a 60% increase in the ETA is a very bad start,” he added.
While the price increase may be frustrating for some, the decision to waive fees for transit passengers has been praised by the travel industry. This change means travelers connecting through the UK without leaving the airport will not need an ETA. London’s Heathrow Airport had previously warned that charging transit passengers could result in the loss of up to four million passengers annually.
For comparison, the European Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), set to launch later this year, will cost €7, offer a three-year validity, and allow entry to 29 Schengen countries. In contrast, a family of four would pay €64 (€75.65) for an ETA to visit just the UK.
