Budget could see APD slashed for domestic flights

London City Airport (Image: Aviation Media Agency)
London City Airport is surrounded by tall buildings requiring special approaches (Image: Aviation Media Agency)

The upcoming budget could see chancellor Rishi Sunak cut or slash air passenger duty (APD) for flights within the UK.

Under current tax laws, air passenger duty is charged on all flights departing a UK airport which means domestic flights are charged on all sectors.

Currently APD is charged at £26 for standard economy tickets on flights up to 2000 miles and £180 for long haul flights. This rises to £78 and £541 for business and first class travel.

Cutting APD would be a big boost for regional airports who rely on cheaper domestic air travel.

It isn’t all good news though with APD for long haul travel expected to be significantly raised.

The rise in long haul APD is a penalty for their environmental impact according to government sources.

Environmental campaigners will see cutting domestic APD as a blow though as many campaign against air travel for short journeys despite it usually much lower in cost and quicker than a rail journey.

About Nick Harding 1897 Articles
Nick is the senior reporter and editor at UK Aviation News as well as working freelance elsewhere. He has his finger firmly on the pulse on Aviation, not only in the UK but worldwide. Nick has been asked to speak in a professional capacity on LBC, Heart and other broadcast networks.

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