The British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) has protested UK government plans to nearly double the hourly rate charged for passport and customs services at FBOs. The Border Force agency is set to increase these fees by 94% starting July 1, rising from £77 per hour to £150 per hour.
Earlier this week, the industry group wrote to Home Secretary James Cleverly, arguing that the UK’s Office for National Statistics showed wage growth of just 30% and asking for the fee increase to be capped at no more than 40%. The government said the fees have not been revised since 2019 and justified the increase as reflecting “increasing financial pressures, growing resource costs and the need to future proof these enhanced premium services.”
BBGA has demanded the government share quantifiable data to support the increase, pointing to an unpublished Home Office study that supposedly has compared similar services in other countries. “A 94% increase in charges coupled with no clarity of when a further increase in charges will be endorsed is unacceptable to the UK business aviation community,” said BBGA managing director Lindsey Oliver.
However, given that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak yesterday announced that a general election will be held on July 4, effectively stalling government business, it is unlikely that the Home Secretary will respond to the BBGA’s complaint during the election campaign.
“It is unfortunate that the UK Home Office has chosen to raise funds by imposing exorbitant fees on those seeking to travel to the UK for investment purposes,” said Jason Hayward, general manager of Universal Aviation and head of the BBGA’s FBO working group. “This decision could deter potential investors who wish to contribute to the nation’s and local economies.”
In March, the UK’s former chief inspector of border security accused the government of covering up what he alleged were serious failures to screen business aircraft arriving at London City Airport. This raised questions about whether checks on private aviation more generally might be inadequate.
Starting in early 2025, business aircraft operators and general aviation airports will face further higher costs due to the expansion of the country’s Electronic Travel Authorization requirements. It is to be extended to include all citizens of the European Union, U.S.. and Canada.