All Policies Include Enhanced COVID-19 Cover
Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30
Coronavirus FAQs
Questions about cover for coronavirus? Read our FAQs and find out what our policies can do for you. If you would like to contact us, please note we are currently only available 09:00 to 17:30 Monday to Friday due to reduced operational capacity. Thank you.
18 September 2018 08:46
Passengers are currently charged APD on flights departing from UK airports, meaning that they pay out twice for all domestic return trips.
As much as £6 of every £10 spent on domestic flights in the UK goes on Air Passenger Duty (APD), new research suggests.
The analysis was carried out by the A Fair Tax On Flying Campaign, which called on Chancellor Philip Hammond to cut APD by at least 50% in the upcoming Autumn Budget.
Air passengers are currently charged APD on flights departing from UK airports, meaning that they pay out twice for all domestic return trips.
The rate for a short-haul economy classic ticket is £13 per leg, with the money raised going to the Treasury.
Domestic returns
A Fair Tax on Flying Campaign calculated what this charge is as a proportion of 18 air fares for domestic return flights booked on September 11, for travel on October 16 and 17.
The highest figure was 58% for London Stansted easyJet flights to Glasgow and Edinburgh, which both cost £45.
This was followed by Flybe flights from Southampton to Manchester (54% of £48), easyJet flights from Belfast International to Edinburgh (52% of £50) and Flybe flights from Cardiff to Edinburgh (46% of £56).
Exorbitant tax
Henk van Klaveren, spokesman for the campaign, said: "This exorbitant tax on all short haul and long-haul flights hurts the UK economy.
"It's a tax on trade and a tax on holidays. And this analysis shows that it is an unfair burden to business and leisure travellers making return flights within the UK.
"This damages connectivity, regional economies and the overall country. It is a definite brake on growing the benefits of tourism and business travel across the country.
"We are urging the Chancellor to decisively cut APD in the Budget by at least 50% across all bands of travel. This will help move the UK towards a more level playing field with some of our neighbouring economies."
Passengers on flights leaving from airports in the Scottish Highlands and Islands region are exempt from APD.
If you're planning to holiday in the UK, make sure you take a look at our dedicated UK and Channel Islands travel insurance.
04 January 2021
Head north for a light show like no other. Discover how you can see the Northern Lights for yourself.
[more...]
Discover more about the magnificent waterfall perched on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
10 December 2020
Don't sleep on the world's most impressive dormant volcano.
A destination that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
19 November 2020
Take a tour of one of South America's most captivating natural landscapes.
Discover the hidden depths of the world's most recognisable desert gorge.
It's the question on everyone's mind right now - unfortunately, there's still no easy answer...
Discover why planes are more hygienic than you might think.
Dive into Queensland's colourful coral.
02 November 2020
With the global travel industry slowly getting back on its feet, it's a great time for holiday bargain hunters. Here are our top tips for 2021.
Is it possible to fly green? Discover five ways to fly more eco-friendly and reduce the impact of your air travel.
From sustainable architecture to reduced energy consumption, here's how airports around the world are helping to reduce their carbon footprints.