Due to a new tax increase, holidaymakers in the UK will have to pay more to travel abroad. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced on Wednesday that the Air Passenger Duty (APD) applied to airlines and passengers departing from UK airports will be raised.
When Will the New Fees Take Effect?
The new APD rates, set to come into effect on April 1, 2026, will vary based on flight length and travel class. This tax will apply to passengers aged 16 and over for both domestic and international flights and will be added to the ticket price, to be collected by airlines and remitted to the government.
Holidaymakers to Face Higher Ticket Prices
With the new fees in place, passengers traveling with major airlines such as EasyJet, TUI, Ryanair, and Jet2 will face higher ticket prices. Reeves noted that the APD increase will add £2 to the ticket price for economy-class short-haul flights, while private jet users will see a 50% increase in APD.
Currently, APD charges for economy-class passengers are £7 for domestic flights, £13 for short-haul flights, and £88-£92 for long-haul flights. However, beginning in the 2026/27 fiscal year, this charge will rise by £1 for domestic flights, £2 for short-haul flights, and £12 for long-haul flights.
Passenger Fees to Increase Under New Rates
Under the new rates, passengers will pay £8 for domestic flights, £15 for short-haul flights to destinations like Spain, France, and Turkey, and £100-£104 for long-haul flights. Private jet passengers will face an APD rate of £78 for domestic or short-haul flights and £581-£607 for long-haul flights, with this rate expected to increase by 50% in the 2026/27 fiscal year.
In her statement to the House of Commons, Reeves said, “Air passenger duty has not kept pace with inflation in recent years, so we are making an adjustment. We are adding no more than £2 for economy-class short-haul flights. However, we are increasing APD for private jets by 50%.”
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