The UK’s air passenger tax, or APD (airport passenger duty), is the highest in the world. We’re now paying almost 400% more than other travellers in Europe.
Introduced in 1994, it began as a £5 per person tax on short-haul flights in the UK and Europe and £10 elsewhere. But campaigners say it’s now pricing British families out of flying and discouraging tourists from visiting.
In April APD went up 8% and will rise again next year. This means right now a family of four travelling to Europe is shelling out around £52 in tax while those heading further afield to the Caribbean will have to pay £368.
In response to the rises, a campaign called A Fair Tax On Flying was launched earlier this year. A group of around 30 airlines and tour operators are behind it and they’re demanding an end, or a reduction, in APD. And they already have 100,000 signatures from people supporting the campaign.
The Government is also under pressure to act after seventy five MPs added their names to a parliamentary notion calling for a review of APD.
You can’t get away with not paying APD and that’s why it’s an easy way for the Government to make money. However, the strength of the Fair Tax on Flying campaign shows just how pointless this tax is and will hopefully be a step forward in getting rid of it altogether.
What do you think about this tax on flying? Let us know in the comments box below.
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