Ultra-long haul Air Passenger Duty drops from today (1st April)

In good news, Air Passenger Duty for departures from United Kingdom changes today.

In the past there has been four bands of Air Passenger Duty, split into two rates:

• Band A: 0 – 2000 miles
• Band B: 2001 – 4000 miles
• Band C: 4001 – 6000 miles
• Band D: over 6000 miles

The two levels are:

• Reduced Rate – for the lowest class of travel on a plane (eg Economy/Coach) and seating under 40″ seat pitch
• Standard Rate – for any other class of travel (Premium Economy, Business Class and First Class)

This changes today – with the removal of Band C and D Air Passenger Duty in line from the Budget statement of 2013/2014

The new Air Passenger Duty bands and levels are:

                            REDUCED    STANDARD
BAND A (up to 2000 miles)    £13        £26
BAND B (beyond 2000 miles)   £71       £142

UK Air Passenger Duty pricing is measured from London to the capital of the country you are heading to. This means destinations such as the Caribbean, South America, China, Singapore, Australia will now be charged at the Band B rate instead of the higher C or D rates.

Test booking between London and Singapore – showing new Air Passenger Duty Rate

More changes to Air Passenger Duty are due, with changes for younger flyers departing the United Kingdom:

• From 1st May 2o15, Air Passenger Duty is scrapped for under 12-year-old passengers
• From 1st April 2016 Air Passenger Duty is scrapped for under 16-year-old passengers

Those of you who fly to Band B destinations (such as the USA), will note that the costs have crept up again – such is the joy of a government who use Air Passenger duty as a revenue raising tool.

Northern Ireland retains its own methods of charging Air Passenger Duty too – with direct flight from Northern Ireland only being charged on flights in Band A. Band B flights are subject to no Air Passenger Duty.

Still, for those on the ultra-long haul flight, some costs have reduced at least – something welcome for those who travel more than 4000 miles from London.

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