The Impact of Electronic Travel Authorisation on Airlines: Compliance and Communication

The Electronic Travel Authorisation, launched on 15 November 2023 for Qatari nationals, has since been extended to include further nationalities since 22 February 2024.

Two more rollouts are expected on 8 January 2025 and 2 April 2025 to effectively extend the scheme completely to all nationalities exempt from otherwise requiring a visit visa before travel to the UK, except for British/Irish nationals.

What is the ETA?

The ETA is part of an ongoing trend to fully digitalise the UK’s immigration system; it is for visitors to the UK who do not otherwise need a visa for their visit and do not hold some form of valid UK immigration permission.

The ETA is a digital permission linked to the applicant’s passport for non-visa nationals to visit the UK, for example as a tourist or as a business visitor carrying out permitted activities. The ETA needs to be applied for before travel to the UK, is quick to obtain and valid for two years. If a new passport is obtained, a new ETA is required.

What does this mean for airlines?

Implementation of the ETA is a significant change for airlines as it will mean those who otherwise did not need to evidence some form of valid permission to travel to the UK (e.g., non-visa nationals travelling to the UK as visitors), will need to have their status checked before being able to board their flight to the UK.

The introduction of the ETA has affected the Authority to Carry Regulations, requiring airlines to ensure that passengers have a valid ETA before traveling to the UK. Airlines that fail to comply with this requirement may face financial penalties of up to £50,000, emphasising the importance of thorough checks.

This is primarily a communication challenge for travellers who are accustomed to flying to the UK without needing to make any prior applications. Given the potential penalties for airlines if they do not complete the necessary checks, airlines have a vested interest in informing passengers about the ETA requirements. This could include alerts during the flight booking process or reminders after booking, helping to prevent any surprises at airport check-in.

Do aircrew members need to apply?

It is important to note that an ETA is not required by those who are exempt from immigration control. This means that it is possible for operating aircrew for most flights to and from the UK to not actually require an ETA. Aircrew members would need to meet the relevant aircrew exemption for each trip to be exempt, which effectively requires operating aircrew to be engaged to leave within seven days on the same or another aircraft.

While operating aircrew are generally exempt from needing an ETA, those who do not meet the criteria for this exemption—such as crew members in specific situations like positioning, deadheading, or supernumerary roles—will still need to obtain an ETA. Consequently, depending on their assignments, some aircrew may still need to apply for and hold a valid ETA, which is effective for two years.

Furthermore, the definition of operating crew does not extend to airport-based operational ground staff, such as engineers, station managers or air travel assistants; therefore, those holding these positions will still require the requisite UK immigration permission providing a right to work in the UK as they cannot rely on the aircrew exemption for temporary work in the UK.

Need to know more?

For questions related to the ETA or UK immigration considerations, please contact Senior Associate Adam Hickling at [email protected].

This blog was published on 30 October 2024, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.