Long-haul flights from the UK to popular holiday destinations including the United States, the Caribbean, Dubai and India will be subject to a new £105 charge from April, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed. The increased charges follow a hike to Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates from April 2027, which is expected to push up air fares and result in higher ticket prices for passengers.
APD is a tax paid by airline operators to HMRC for passengers departing from UK airports, with rates varying depending on the length of flights and the class of travel. It applies to passengers aged 16 or over travelling on both domestic and international flights and was first introduced in 1994 to offset the environmental impact of air travel. While the tax is paid by airline operators, ticket prices usually include a charge to cover this cost, and airlines then pass the fee to HMRC, so any hike to APD typically means more expensive air fares for UK passengers.
New APD Rates from April 2027
HMRC has confirmed the new APD rates for the period from April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2028. Depending on the destination and class of travel, the rates vary between £8.26 and £1,178.20 per person. The flight taxes are divided across four different bands based on the destination, with longer distance flights incurring higher charges. The class of travel is split into three categories: a reduced rate for the lowest class of travel, such as economy; a standard rate for any other class, such as business or first class, where the seat pitch is more than 40 inches; and a higher rate for travel in planes of 20 tonnes or more that carry no more than 19 passengers, such as private jets.
From April 1, 2027, APD charges for flying economy on long-haul 'Band B' flights will rise to £105.33, up from £102 currently, while a £251.95 charge will apply to higher classes, up from £244. Band B covers flights between 2,001 to 5,500 miles, which would include destinations such as the USA, Canada, United Arab Emirates and India.
Domestic and Shorter Flights Affected
Domestic flight charges for economy class will cost £8.26 from April, up from £8 currently, while travelling in business class will cost £16.52, up from £16. Shorter flights to 'Band A' destinations, which range from zero to 2,000 miles and would include all of Europe and the majority of North Africa, will be hit with a 49p increase, with rates rising from £15 to £15.49 from April. Those flying business, first or premium economy will see rates go up by £1.04, from £32 to £33.04.
As for Band C flights, which are over 5,500 miles from the UK and would include the likes of Australia, New Zealand and Thailand, economy rates will rise to £109.49, up from £106, while premium rates will increase from £253 to £261.25.
HMRC Explains the Charges
Explaining the charges from next April, HMRC said: "Air Passenger Duty (APD) applies to flights aboard aircraft 5.7 tonnes and above. Rates for direct long-haul flights from Northern Ireland are devolved and set at £0. Direct long-haul journeys are those where the first leg of the journey is to a destination outside Band A."
"Where a class of travel provides a seat pitch in excess of 1.016 metres (40 inches), the standard rate is the minimum rate that applies. From 1 April 2027, the higher rate applies to aircraft of 5.7 tonnes and above operating as a business jet. An aircraft operates as a business jet where the time or location of departure or arrival of the flight was negotiated by or for the passenger, or the flight is not a scheduled public flight."
The full breakdown of the new APD rates from April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2028, for flights in each band is as follows: Domestic band reduced rate (lowest class of travel) is £8.26, standard rate (other than the lowest class of travel) is £16.52, and higher rate is £146.63. Band A (flights from 0 to 2,000 miles) reduced rate is £15.49, standard rate is £33.04, and higher rate is £146.63. Band B (flights from 2,001 to 5,500 miles) reduced rate is £105.33, standard rate is £251.95, and higher rate is £1,132.76. Band C (flights more than 5,500 miles) reduced rate is £109.46, standard rate is £261.25, and higher rate is £1,178.20.
