29th March 2012

Planned APD rises

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Air Passenger Duty is a tax paid by every air passenger departing Britain; it was first introduced in 1994 and has been steadily rising ever since, so we will be sure to update you with the annual budget updates. APD is worked out by a banding system, determined by the distance from London to the destinations capital city.

Why was APD introduced?

When APD was first introduced, the Government said that the money raised would be used to offset environmentally damaging carbon emissions, hence the so called green tax. Although many environmentalists are said to be dubious as to exactly how these extra costs will be beneficial to the environment. They believe there are better ways this can be done, such as taxing planes depending on how full they are and therefore how fuel efficient they are being. They don’t believe a generic charge for every passenger will change the way flights operate.

How will it affect you?

Your trips closer to home, such as within Europe will change very little, the biggest difference will be seen on trips to the Caribbean, the USA, Asia and Australasia will be significantly more expensive, especially when travelling as a family.

Charges as of 1st April 2012 are as follows