UK flights more expensive as APD hike goes live
Flying overseas just got a little more expensive.
As well as soaring fuel costs, passengers higher Air Passenger Duty (APD) on departing flights from the UK kicks in today.
It means more expensive flights in most cases apart from some domestic journeys.
The changes to APD are based on the distance flown and class of travel with APD for short haul flights increasing by around £2 – £4 per adult passenger
There are larger APD hikes for long-haul flights.
Business travel and aviation industry groups have opposed the APD hikes as bad for industry growth.
The UK already has the highest APD in the world and raising it further risks undermining economic growth at a critical moment.
“A key driver of trade, investment and jobs, business travel spend made up close to a third of the £286bn that travel and tourism contributed to the UK economy last year,” said Andrew Crawley, President, Amex GBT.
The fee goes up to £106 for ultra long-haul flights of more than 5,500 miles.
There are some exemptions for children and for flights in the Scottish highlands and islands.
APD is set to rise again in April 2027, in line with RPI.
Political party Reform UK said it would scrap APD on short haul flights if it wins the next general election.
It claims it will save a family around £45 to fly to Europe.
Related News Stories: China airlines drop more Japan flights - TravelMole UK passengers plan more flights in 2026 amid rising satisfaction United Airlines marks 30 years of Chicago flights from Heathrow ANA lures UK travellers to Japan regions with free domestic flights Air Zimbabwe plans London flight restart after more than a decade Qatar Airways adding Manchester flights - Travel Mole easyJet's first flights between London Southend and Jersey takes off ... easyJet to launch London Gatwick to Newquay flights for summer ... EasyJet launching new Spain flights - TravelMole Singapore Airlines adds London Gatwick flights - Travel Mole
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Marginal increase for New York City tourism in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments