Airlines Seek Relief Over Inadmissible Passengers | By Dominick Andoh
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on governments to adopt a fairer approach to sharing responsibility and costs with airlines when passengers are denied entry into their destination countries.
The call follows the release of a new IATA report highlighting concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding immigration refusal decisions, inadequate pre-departure information and the financial burden placed on airlines for inadmissible passengers.
Based on a survey of 49 airlines and 22 border authorities, the report found that 40 airlines had experienced cases in which immigration authorities failed to disclose why passengers were refused entry. This leaves airlines responsible for managing passengers’ removal without knowing the reasons behind the decisions.
Although documentation and processing errors account for approximately 20–30% of inadmissible passenger cases, IATA noted that many refusals arise from circumstances beyond airlines’ reasonable control, including complex fraud, changing migration trends and government immigration or security decisions.
Under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules, airlines are responsible for custody and care costs when passengers are refused entry because of improper documentation, while governments should cover costs arising from other reasons. However, more than 90% of surveyed airlines reported paying at least some expenses that should have been borne by governments.
The financial implications are significant, with average costs per inadmissible passenger ranging from approximately $4,000 in North Asia to $14,000 in Europe. One airline also reported being charged nearly €60,000 for six months of passenger care while awaiting cooperation from the relevant embassy.
IATA Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security, Nick Careen, said airlines should accept responsibility when errors are theirs but should not face excessive costs for circumstances outside their control.
The association is urging governments to clarify responsibility, ensure proportionate penalties, disclose reasons for entry refusals and strengthen preventive measures through interactive Advance Passenger Information (iAPI), digital verification and improved coordination between immigration authorities and airlines.
IATA also called for more effective cooperation during passenger removals, including timely notifications and clearer procedures.
The association maintains that governments and airlines share the same objectives of securing national borders and facilitating smooth international travel. It believes better information-sharing, digital tools and consistent application of global standards will help achieve both.
Airlines Seek Relief Over Inadmissible Passengers| AviationGhana.com
