UK flights more expensive as APD hike goes live

As well as soaring fuel costs, passengers higher Air Passenger Duty (APD) on departing flights from the UK kicks in today.

It means more expensive flights in most cases apart from some domestic journeys.

The changes to APD are based on the distance flown and class of travel with APD for short haul flights increasing by around £2 – £4 per adult passenger

There are larger APD hikes for long-haul flights.

Business travel and aviation industry groups have opposed the APD hikes as bad for industry growth.

The UK already has the highest APD in the world and raising it further risks undermining economic growth at a critical moment.

“A key driver of trade, investment and jobs, business travel spend made up close to a third of the £286bn that travel and tourism contributed to the UK economy last year,” said Andrew Crawley, President, Amex GBT.

The fee goes up to £106 for ultra long-haul flights of more than 5,500 miles.

There are some exemptions for children and for flights in the Scottish highlands and islands.

APD is set to rise again in April 2027, in line with RPI.

Political party Reform UK said it would scrap APD on short haul flights if it wins the next general election.

It claims it will save a family around £45 to fly to Europe.