APD is burdensome, but I can see a slight 'advantage' for regional airports that fly to European hubs for onward connecting flights, such as CDG, or AMS as you'll only have to pay the short haul APD not the long haul flight. The big loser in this is the LHR, LGW, MAN etc.
Just a thought...
If it's a connecting flight (i.e. through ticket), there's no advantage and you pay the long haul rate.
HM Revenue & Customs
See section 4