Air tax rises hit UK travellers

03 April 2013 13:33

An economy flight to the Sunshine State, Florida, will now cost a family of four an extra £8

An economy flight to the Sunshine State, Florida, will now cost a family of four an extra £8

Some Britons will find it more expensive to fly abroad this week - as increases in the Air Passenger Duty (APD) airport departure tax take effect. A family of four flying in economy class to Florida will now have to add £8 to their flying budget when calculating their overall holiday costs - which also include outgoings such as accommodation and travel insurance.

That is because APD on flights of between 2,001 and 4,000 miles, including North American and Middle East trips, climbed on April 1 from £65 to £67 (a rise of 3.07%) for economy flyers. Passengers travelling on economy flights of 4,001 to 6,000 miles will see APD increase from £81 to £83 (2.46%). The rate for economy-class passengers going on flights of more than 6,000 miles will increase from £92 per passenger to £94 (2.17%), meanwhile.

The price per economy-class passenger on flights of fewer than 2,000 miles in length remains unchanged, however, at £13. Airlines, airports and holiday firms had all appealed to Chancellor George Osborne to discard the rise in the tax which has escalated since its inception in 1994. The Government has given no indications of scrapping, or easing the burden on, APD though.

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