Business travellers should expect a slight rise in air fares for flights leaving UK airports from 1 April, as increases to the country’s Air Passenger Duty (APD) come into effect.
The rate hike, first announced in 2024, will add £2 to an economy class short-haul flight, while long-haul flights will incur a 13 per cent rate rise, and taxes on private jets will jump by almost 50 per cent.
The UK’s Business Travel Association (BTA) has criticised the tax hike, labelling the ADP “a major barrier to global connectivity”.
"These increases are a hidden squeeze on travellers that often goes undiscussed – especially when APD doesn’t even offset the ever-rising and highly controversial airport drop-off fees,” said BTA CEO Clive Wratten.
“For business travellers, including those in vital frontline roles, APD is an upfront hurdle before a single visa is processed or a hotel is booked. Call it what it is – a tax on the connectivity that keeps our economy moving," he added.
The new APD rates, which will apply from 1 April 2026, are shown below.
Source: www.gov.uk
Currently, the reduced rate for economy travel or seats with a pitch of less than 40 inches, is charged at £7 on domestic flights, £13 on flights up 2,000 miles, £90 on flights of 2,001 to 5,500 miles, and £94 on flights of more than 5,500 miles.
For premium travel, or seats with more than a 40-inch pitch, the standard rates are currently £14, £28, £216 and £224 respectively.
UK chancellor Rachel Reeves in November confirmed the APD would increase again in 2027 “in line with retail price inflation”.