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43% of air travellers put off a trip by immigration rules, IATA survey finds

Immigration requirements discouraged 43% of air travellers from visiting a destination, up from 33% a year ago, according to the International Air Transport Association's 2026 Global Passenger Survey, released on October 28. IATA said the survey drew more than 10,000 responses from more than 200 countries. Of those put off, 53% said the process was too complex.

The survey also tracks a shift to technology: 58% of passengers had used biometrics at an airport in the past 12 months, and 49% had used AI to plan travel. Some 86% would share immigration information digitally before departure, and 60% prefer to apply for a visa online rather than in person.

“Passengers are embracing technology to make travel easier.” — Nick Careen, IATA senior vice-president, via IATA

Euronews led with Europe: 70% of Europeans would share biometric data for airport processes, the lowest of any region, against a 78% global average. Among Europeans, 38% said immigration rules had deterred them, compared with 52% of African travellers. The South China Morning Post took an Asia-Pacific angle, reporting that geopolitical tensions are also influencing travel decisions, particularly in that region.

How each outlet framed it

• IATA — the industry case: governments should agree common standards for digital passports and e-visas.
• Euronews — Europeans as the most cautious about biometrics, and privacy worries: 59% fear data breaches.
• South China Morning Post — immigration rules and geopolitics as barriers for travellers in the Asia-Pacific.

What we don't know yet: the survey does not say which destinations travellers avoided, and Euronews notes that although more than 100 countries issue e-visas, checks remain inconsistent.