Huge Rise in APD Tax
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Huge Rise in APD Tax
From the Telegraph...
The Government’s Budget decision today to proceed with its increases in Air Passenger Duty (APD) will see departure taxes on long-haul flights rise by as much as 112 per cent next year.
APD will now fall into four bands – with passengers being charged according to how far they fly. The increases, planned for November this year and November, 2010, will hit medium- and long-haul travellers hardest.
A family of four flying to the Caribbean, South Africa, Kenya or Thailand next winter, will pay £300 in APD, while those families planning trips to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia or Australasia will pay £340 – more than double the current rate of £40 per passenger.
The duty on short-haul flights (under 2000 miles) will rise by just £2 over the next 18 months.
However, Egypt – a popular summer destination – lies just beyond the 2,000-mile limit (calculated as the distance between London and the destination’s capital city). This means that a family of four flying to Egypt in economy class, will pay £240 in APD – £80 more than the current figure.
Travel operators and airlines have criticised the Government for applying tax rises during a time of financial downturn and falling passenger numbers.
Although the Government claims that the move will cut carbon emissions, environmentalists have criticised the tax for encouraging air passengers to believe that they are doing their bit for the environment, making them less likely to contribute to carbon offsetting schemes.
“APD was doubled two years ago, making air travel from the UK the most heavily taxed in the world,” said Willie Walsh, the chief executive of British Airways. “The Government’s own figures show that British airlines already meet their environmental costs, so there can be no ‘green’ justification for these additional taxes.”
Last week Telegraph Travel reported that the future of several regional airports are in doubt, due to a dramatic fall in passengers numbers and number of routes being cut over the last 12 months.
Abta, the Travel Association, has raised concerns about the impact that APD will have on regional passengers who are forced to fly via London, forcing them to pay the tax twice if they are travelling with two different airlines.
Airlines have also complained that the APD increase will unfairly target premium economy passengers, all of who will pay the same level of tax as passengers flying in business- or first-class. For example, those flying in premium economy cabins to Australia will pay £170 from November 2010 – more than double the current fee of £80.
The changes are also likely to have an impact on tourism to Britain, with foreign visitors forced to pay APD on the return leg of their journey.
The Government’s Budget decision today to proceed with its increases in Air Passenger Duty (APD) will see departure taxes on long-haul flights rise by as much as 112 per cent next year.
APD will now fall into four bands – with passengers being charged according to how far they fly. The increases, planned for November this year and November, 2010, will hit medium- and long-haul travellers hardest.
A family of four flying to the Caribbean, South Africa, Kenya or Thailand next winter, will pay £300 in APD, while those families planning trips to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia or Australasia will pay £340 – more than double the current rate of £40 per passenger.
The duty on short-haul flights (under 2000 miles) will rise by just £2 over the next 18 months.
However, Egypt – a popular summer destination – lies just beyond the 2,000-mile limit (calculated as the distance between London and the destination’s capital city). This means that a family of four flying to Egypt in economy class, will pay £240 in APD – £80 more than the current figure.
Travel operators and airlines have criticised the Government for applying tax rises during a time of financial downturn and falling passenger numbers.
Although the Government claims that the move will cut carbon emissions, environmentalists have criticised the tax for encouraging air passengers to believe that they are doing their bit for the environment, making them less likely to contribute to carbon offsetting schemes.
“APD was doubled two years ago, making air travel from the UK the most heavily taxed in the world,” said Willie Walsh, the chief executive of British Airways. “The Government’s own figures show that British airlines already meet their environmental costs, so there can be no ‘green’ justification for these additional taxes.”
Last week Telegraph Travel reported that the future of several regional airports are in doubt, due to a dramatic fall in passengers numbers and number of routes being cut over the last 12 months.
Abta, the Travel Association, has raised concerns about the impact that APD will have on regional passengers who are forced to fly via London, forcing them to pay the tax twice if they are travelling with two different airlines.
Airlines have also complained that the APD increase will unfairly target premium economy passengers, all of who will pay the same level of tax as passengers flying in business- or first-class. For example, those flying in premium economy cabins to Australia will pay £170 from November 2010 – more than double the current fee of £80.
The changes are also likely to have an impact on tourism to Britain, with foreign visitors forced to pay APD on the return leg of their journey.
Last edited by GroundedSLF; 29th Apr 2009 at 08:54. Reason: Amended artile source
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Everything this bunch of so-called democrats do is ****ed up.
Just when many folk are trying to decide if they can afford to travel abroad and the airline industry is really beginning to struggle.......
.....along comes the latest purler from the Ministry of Silly Ideas.
Just when many folk are trying to decide if they can afford to travel abroad and the airline industry is really beginning to struggle.......
.....along comes the latest purler from the Ministry of Silly Ideas.
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From the Guardian...
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Apologies Michael - this was from the Telegraph (previously I had been looking at the Guardian articles) - if you just type in APD tax increases into google you will get a lot of results back.
The main flaw of this tax is in how it is calculated (milage to the Capital city of the Country) - so travel to the USA is taxed in band B as Washington is East Coast, but you can travel to Hawaii for the same tax cost, when it is more that 3000 miles beyond the band B limit).
Premium economy is also going to suffer - as they are taxed at the same rate as business/first class passengers.
My prediction - lots of passengers transiting via FRA and AMS...
The main flaw of this tax is in how it is calculated (milage to the Capital city of the Country) - so travel to the USA is taxed in band B as Washington is East Coast, but you can travel to Hawaii for the same tax cost, when it is more that 3000 miles beyond the band B limit).
Premium economy is also going to suffer - as they are taxed at the same rate as business/first class passengers.
My prediction - lots of passengers transiting via FRA and AMS...
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There are a lot of people of deservedly getting Benefits. There are many more, here illegally and leeching off the state and many people who have never worked and don't even want to. Somebody has to pay for the lifestyles of those in Chav City and people in work and travelling are doing it! I'd risk losing my luggage by interlining at CRG, FRA, AMS or wherever to keep £1 out the hands of the Scottish gits who seem to run the country.
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Interestingly water vapour accounts for 95% of the gasses responsible for the Greenhouse Effect: CO2 runs to 3.7%.
Aviation contributes about 6% whereas animal agriculture is responsible for 20%.
Anyone for a £80 tax on your pint of milk??
Aviation contributes about 6% whereas animal agriculture is responsible for 20%.
Anyone for a £80 tax on your pint of milk??
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I don't see the problem. I completely agree with our prudent PM. The UK tax payer has limitless amounts of money and is more than willing to give it all to his government to fund projects we all need and want. For instance I can't wait for my new ID card, and it is quite right that I will lose my job at MAN if I don't get one as instructed by the honorable members. The tourists coming to the UK will be more than happy to pay this tax too, after all why would they wish to get anywhere else?
Of course, this taxation, like all the others, will have no effect on the aviation industry or the economy at large. Due to our previously mentioned bottomless pockets the UK economy will grow forever, just like now.
Of course, this taxation, like all the others, will have no effect on the aviation industry or the economy at large. Due to our previously mentioned bottomless pockets the UK economy will grow forever, just like now.
Trust me A2QFI, we're seeing what we can do to revoke all citizenship priveledges for Darling/Brown........
Please do not class the vast majority of us poor buggers north of the border along with the taxaholic fringes of society. Just rmember that for most of us here, our only hope of escaping the UK is to pay double tax & lose our luggage by connecting via LHR. Isn't that enough?
Please do not class the vast majority of us poor buggers north of the border along with the taxaholic fringes of society. Just rmember that for most of us here, our only hope of escaping the UK is to pay double tax & lose our luggage by connecting via LHR. Isn't that enough?
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The tax is a massive threat to UK airlines and UK tourism.
Already UK taxes on air travel are the highest in the world. The new levels simply take the charges into the stratosphere and negate all the airlines efforts over the past two decades to bring air travel within the reach of a much wider population. The new proposition is that it should return to being the preserve of the rich,- politically and socially a ludicrous proposition.
Originally Gordon Brown said that the February 2007 hike to the present levels was a green move and yet not a cent of the additional £1 bn a year it brought in has been red ringed for environmental use of any kind.It simply goes into the general Government revenue accounts.
The only way round it is to travel ex UK via Eurotunnel or ferry and fly out of Paris, Amsterdam etc. The return trip can be by air into the UK so no problem coming back in except that with round trip pricing by the airlines he who carries a passenger outbound usually brings them back in again which is why the big losers will be the British airlines. Inbound tour groups will tend to fly long haul into the European airports and make surface connections for the UK parts of their itinerary.
There is no sign of any recognition or understanding of this in Whitehall or amongst politicians of any party. Individuals can make a difference right now by writing individually to their MPs spelling out how UK Plc and businesses large and small involved in transport and tourism will lose out. The UK has the most successful and diverse airline industry anywhere in the world outside the USA, all built up through the efforts of entrepreneurs, shareholders and staff. The UK Governments reward for this is to try to cut them off at the knees. Not a great reward for innovation , growth and success.
Already UK taxes on air travel are the highest in the world. The new levels simply take the charges into the stratosphere and negate all the airlines efforts over the past two decades to bring air travel within the reach of a much wider population. The new proposition is that it should return to being the preserve of the rich,- politically and socially a ludicrous proposition.
Originally Gordon Brown said that the February 2007 hike to the present levels was a green move and yet not a cent of the additional £1 bn a year it brought in has been red ringed for environmental use of any kind.It simply goes into the general Government revenue accounts.
The only way round it is to travel ex UK via Eurotunnel or ferry and fly out of Paris, Amsterdam etc. The return trip can be by air into the UK so no problem coming back in except that with round trip pricing by the airlines he who carries a passenger outbound usually brings them back in again which is why the big losers will be the British airlines. Inbound tour groups will tend to fly long haul into the European airports and make surface connections for the UK parts of their itinerary.
There is no sign of any recognition or understanding of this in Whitehall or amongst politicians of any party. Individuals can make a difference right now by writing individually to their MPs spelling out how UK Plc and businesses large and small involved in transport and tourism will lose out. The UK has the most successful and diverse airline industry anywhere in the world outside the USA, all built up through the efforts of entrepreneurs, shareholders and staff. The UK Governments reward for this is to try to cut them off at the knees. Not a great reward for innovation , growth and success.
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I agree with Autoglide
off course we have bottom less pockets off cash and I am happy too pay extra tax on flights, cos personnnel flights are 2% on CO2, I mean why should industry pay on there 30% ++++ CO2 on the world. It just,nt make sense for them to pay
off course we have bottom less pockets off cash and I am happy too pay extra tax on flights, cos personnnel flights are 2% on CO2, I mean why should industry pay on there 30% ++++ CO2 on the world. It just,nt make sense for them to pay
