ETA-affected passengers avoid UK transit flights

LONDON - A registration scheme for passengers takes a toll on Heathrow traffic. The airport estimates it lost around 90,000 passengers from the Middle East alone to other hubs since the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) charge of 10 GBP was introduced in November 2023. And things could get worse.

ETA registration is required for foreign passengers who travel to the UK but also applies to airside transit passengers who travel through British airports without entering the country.

The scheme was rolled out to UAE, Qatari and other Middle East passengers last November but will cover travellers with EU, EEA and Swiss passports soon.

ETA registration and a fee of 10 GBP has passengers looking for alternative routes around Britain on international transits, according to Heathrow airport.

"While Heathrow continues to attract new routes and record passenger numbers, the latest data following the introduction of the ETA shows that Heathrow has lost 90,000 transfer passengers on routes operating to and from the seven countries included in the scheme, since its introduction in 2023," the British Airways hub said Monday.

"This is devastating for our hub competitiveness", Heathrow said. "We urge Government to review the inclusion of airside transit passengers, every little bit of extra competitiveness that Government can deliver for aviation will help deliver vital growth for the whole of the UK economy."