Starting April, UK tourists flying to destinations such as the USA, United Arab Emirates, and the Caribbean will face increased Air Passenger Duty (APD) charges, with economy tickets seeing a rise to £102. This tax, charged to all passengers departing from UK airports, is usually embedded in the ticket price and varies depending on the flight’s distance and travel class.
APD rates are divided into bands, reflecting how far the destination is from the UK. For example, Band A covers closer European locations within the EU and European Economic Area, where the economy class APD will increase modestly from £13 to £15. However, Band B—which includes long-haul destinations like the USA, UAE (including Dubai), the Caribbean, and India—will see a more significant hike, with economy class duty rising from £90 to £102.
The Air Passenger Duty affects both domestic and international routes, with rates differing based on flight length and destination.
READ MORE: Renewed Hope for Birmingham’s Ornate Murdoch and Pitman Chambers Hotel Restoration
READ MORE: Jhon Solis: Transfer Clauses and Birmingham City’s Intentions for a Permanent Deal
Industry leaders have expressed strong criticism of these increases. Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association, called the rise a “major barrier to global connectivity” and highlighted that the UK currently imposes the highest air departure tax worldwide. He pointed out that despite the tax generating £4.195 billion in 2024/25, the APD is increasing by 13%, outpacing inflation and squeezing travellers financially. Wratten also noted the tax’s shortcomings, mentioning that it does not offset rising and controversial airport drop-off fees.
Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association, described the tax hike as a “short-sighted cash grab,” emphasizing the negative impact on the aviation sector.
Passengers will see the place of departure and final destination indicated on their tickets, which determines the applicable APD rate. For one-leg journeys, the final destination is where the flight ends. For journeys with multiple connected flights, the final destination is the endpoint of the last flight not followed by another connection.