Immigration hurdles frustrate 43% of air travellers – IATA
AI Executive Briefing
Verified Synthesis~42s readComplicated visa and immigration procedures are discouraging international travel, as 43 per cent of air passengers say they have dropped plans to visit some destinations because of stringent entry requirements. According to the survey, complicated immigration procedures were the biggest stumbling block, accounting for 53 per cent of passengers discouraged from visiting particular destinations.
Context & Background
- ✦The IATA survey showed that 86 per cent of travellers said they would willingly submit immigration information electronically before departure to speed up processing, compared with 83 per cent in 2025.
Key Figures & Named Entities
Friday:A new survey by the International Air Transport Association, presented to journalists globally on Friday in Macao, China, and monitored virtually by our correspondent, revealed changing passenger preferences and expectations across the global aviation industry.2025:The figure represents a sharp increase from 33 per cent recorded in 2025, showing the growing frustration among passengers over cumbersome border controls, expensive travel documentation and inconsistent visa processes.2025:The IATA survey showed that 86 per cent of travellers said they would willingly submit immigration information electronically before departure to speed up processing, compared with 83 per cent in 2025.
Outlook & Next Steps
Follow original publisher reporting for subsequent developments, official responses, and verified updates.
Key Takeaways
Verified Extract- Complicated visa and immigration procedures are discouraging international travel, as 43 per cent of air passengers say they have dropped plans to visit some destinations because of stringent entry requirements.
- According to the survey, complicated immigration procedures were the biggest stumbling block, accounting for 53 per cent of passengers discouraged from visiting particular destinations.
- The IATA survey showed that 86 per cent of travellers said they would willingly submit immigration information electronically before departure to speed up processing, compared with 83 per cent in 2025.
Key Facts:Friday: A new survey by the International Air Transport Association, presented to journalists globally on Friday in Macao, China, and monitored virtually by our correspondent, revealed changing passenger preferences and expectations across the global aviation industry.2025: The figure represents a sharp increase from 33 per cent recorded in 2025, showing the growing frustration among passengers over cumbersome border controls, expensive travel documentation and inconsistent visa processes.2025: The IATA survey showed that 86 per cent of travellers said they would willingly submit immigration information electronically before departure to speed up processing, compared with 83 per cent in 2025.2025: IATA found that 58 per cent of passengers had experienced biometric identification during their airport journey in the preceding 12 months, compared with 50 per cent in 2025 and 24 percentage points below the 2022 level.
Editorial Excerpt
A new IATA survey reveals that 43% of air passengers have cancelled travel plans due to complicated visa and immigration procedures, a significant rise.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
What is the key takeaway from this report?
Complicated visa and immigration procedures are discouraging international travel, as 43 per cent of air passengers say they have dropped plans to visit some destinations because of stringent entry requirements.
What additional context is highlighted in this report?
According to the survey, complicated immigration procedures were the biggest stumbling block, accounting for 53 per cent of passengers discouraged from visiting particular destinations.
What timeline or key figures were confirmed?
A new survey by the International Air Transport Association, presented to journalists globally on Friday in Macao, China, and monitored virtually by our correspondent, revealed changing passenger preferences and expectations across the global aviation industry.
