Airlines warn early abolition of children’s air tax will create problems
Airlines have warned that the Chancellor George Osborne’s decision to abolish air tax on economy flights for children under 12 from as early as next May will present ‘significant practical difficulties’ for the industry.
Reacting to the announcement made in yesterday’s Autumn Statement, the British Air Transport Association said it had always said changed to air passenger duty should be announced at least 12 months in advance.
Airlines and tour operators will already have taken payments for flights from later than May next year, meaning they will now have to refund the tax.
BATA chief executive Nathan Stower said: "Abolishing APD for children flying economy is an early stocking filler for families who save hard for holidays and visits to friends and relatives that will also boost UK tourism.
"However, introducing the first change for children under 12 in May presents significant practical difficulties. The industry has always said that changes to APD should have at least a 12 month lead in time due to advance bookings.
"It also makes no sense for the UK to still have the highest tax on flying in the world. With devolution of APD proposed for Scotland, each party should use their manifesto to set out how they would put this seriously flawed and counterproductive tax out of its misery in the next Parliament."
The Chancellor announced that although the tax will only be abolished for children under 12 next May, it will be abolished for all children under 16 from 2015.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Marginal increase for New York City tourism in 2025