APD loophole exposed by bmi
Bmi regional has exposed a loophole in the new rules over Air Passenger Duty so that all of its passengers – business and economy – will pay the lower rate.
According to a notice issued by the airline’s GSA in Australia, the airline has removed the cabin dividers between business and economy class to create just one cabin.
Although business passengers still benefit from seating at the front, better catering and lounge access, they will now pay the same duty as economy passengers.
The bmi regional notice said: “The CRSs have been informed about this change, and it will change in the system asap.”
Under the APD rules, passengers travelling with airlines which have only one class of travel – even airlines like Silverjet, Eos and MAXjet which are all-business class – pay the lower rate of APD.
However, passengers flying in premium economy cabins on two or three-class airlines are liable for the higher rate.
British Airways said it currently has no plans to do the same. “It will be interesting to see what happens,” said a spokesman.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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