đŸ”·The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for a fairer distribution of costs and responsibilities faced by airlines when passengers are denied entry to their destination countries. According to a report based on a survey of 49 airlines and 22 border control authorities, airlines may be required to cover the costs of passengers denied entry for reasons beyond their control, despite having conducted travel document checks.
đŸ”·The report revealed that 40 of the 49 airlines had encountered cases in which immigration authorities did not disclose the reasons why passengers were denied entry. The average cost to an airline per inadmissible passenger was reported to range from approximately $4,000 in North Asia to as much as $14,000 in Europe. The report also highlighted a case in which an airline was required to pay nearly €60,000 after a passenger was held in government custody for six months following an entry refusal.
đŸ”·IATA urged governments to disclose the reasons for entry refusals to airlines, clarify responsibilities, and ensure that costs are shared according to what each party can reasonably control. The association also emphasized the need to improve digital document verification systems and strengthen coordination between airlines and relevant authorities during the removal of inadmissible passengers.
