The UK began a new phase in its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system yesterday to include travelers from the U.S. and most of the globe. All aircraft operators are affected by the change.

Under the new regulations, carriers must verify passengers’ travel authorizations before departure. Flight crew arriving on noncommercial flights will also need an ETA, a digital record linked to a traveler’s passport, unless they meet specific exemptions. Operators that fail to check, or that carry passengers without a valid ETA, risk fines of up to £50,000 (about $61,000).

The UK began implementing the ETA program in November 2023 for travelers from Qatar, with further updates for citizens of other Gulf states in 2024. This was done as part of the broader Universal Permission to Travel initiative to ensure travelers hold valid permissions before arriving in the UK.

As of yesterday, ETA is also required for passengers from the U.S., Canada, and other non-visa countries outside of Europe. Final expansion to European nationals is planned for April. Aircraft operators will need to carefully review the revised guidelines to avoid penalties and ensure smooth operations.

For operators, implementing ETA will require updates to the General Aviation Report and Advanced Passenger Information submission processes. Carriers must confirm passengers’ ETA status before boarding. If a passenger has not obtained an ETA or has been denied, they must not be allowed to board.

The UK’s move mirrors similar systems already in place in the U.S. (ESTA) and Canada (eTA), aiming to streamline border checks and prevent passengers from being denied entry. ETA will be valid for two years, allowing multiple visits, but travelers must apply again if they renew their passports in that timeframe.