Long-haul family bookings rise following U16 air tax abolition
Bookings for Florida and the Caribbean have rocketed following the abolition of air passenger duty for children under 16, according to ABTA.
It said figures from GfK’s Leisure Travel Monitor show sales for the Caribbean are up 29% for this summer and bookings for Florida are up 13% over two years.
It said the increase was ‘perhaps partly boosted’ by the abolition of APD for children.
Families with teenage children will fly for less from 1 March with the removal of APD on economy flights for children under 16.
This follows the abolition of APD on flights for children under 12 last May.
Following the cut, a family of four (with two children under 16) will save £26 on flights to Europe and £142 on flights to long-haul destinations.
Both cuts were announced in the Autumn Statement in 2014 and are a result of a ‘Scrap the Tax on Family Flights’ initiative, which was launched by A Fair Tax on Flying, of which ABTA is a member.
Most airlines and travel companies have refunded or will refund APD on flights for under 16s that were booked and paid for before the reductions come into effect, said ABTA, but it advised holidaymakers to contact their travel company or airline to find out more.
ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer: "The abolition of APD on flights for children and teens under 16 is undoubtedly good news for holidaymakers.
"However, whilst families will see welcome savings, APD in the UK remains one of the highest taxes of its kind anywhere in the world. ABTA, along with other member of the Fair Tax on Flying, continues to call for a reduction in APD to at least half the current levels to ensure the whole country benefits from a fairer tax on flying."
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
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