Britons planning to fly to popular holiday destinations such as Spain, Greece, and Turkey are being urged to book their tickets before Wednesday to avoid an impending price rise. Air passenger duty (APD) is set to increase on April 1, making air travel more costly.
The duty, which forms part of each airline ticket's price, will push up fares on certain routes, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin. The APD charge per person varies based on cabin class and the distance between the destination country's capital and London.
Travel expert Simon Calder described the charge as “unique to the UK and a topic of much controversy.” He noted that Chancellor Rachel Reeves has imposed an above-inflation increase from April 1, 2026, and one in line with the retail prices index a year later. By summer 2027, a family of four flying premium economy to Orlando could pay over £1,000 in tax.
The APD bands are: Band A (capitals 2,000 miles or less from London, covering all of Europe), Band B (2,001-5,500 miles, most long-haul), and Band C (over 5,500 miles, including Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, and Australia). While rises are modest for shorter journeys, they accumulate for longer distances with older children.
APD is not charged for children under 16 in basic economy but applies to all children over two in premium cabins. Booking before Wednesday will help travellers avoid the increase.
