Abta and Future Travel Coalition survey members on EES and Middle East

Abta and the Future Travel Coalition are seeking the views from their members on how the ongoing geopolitical instability in the Middle East and the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) are affecting the market.

The trade bodies are asking about summer 2026 bookings, consumer behaviour, operational concerns and overall trading confidence. 

The survey was emailed to Abta and Future Travel Coalition members last week and the results inform the bodies’ work with government in the UK and Brussels, as well as destinations. 

The five-question survey has a deadline for completion of May 15 and will take minutes to complete.  

At the weekend, the government announced its own consultation, seeking industry views on airline slots hand-back provisions and other measures to help the sector in the event of fuel shortages.

Abta said its survey will be “invaluable” in helping the association to tailor a response to the consultation.

Luke Petherbridge, Abta’s director of public affairs, said: “Abta members’ views on how the conflict, as well as the introduction of EES, is impacting on their businesses are essential to help us have a successful and productive dialogue with government and decision makers in Brussels, as well as destinations.

“We regularly meet with government and colleagues in the aviation sector to ensure they understand how any impacts of the ongoing Middle East conflict and EES would be felt by our members.

“I would encourage ABTA and other Future Travel coalition members to take the time to fill in the survey before the 15 May deadline to ensure government is fully aware of your concerns and experiences.” 

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