Virgin slams UK's new departure tax

[tuppaware]

Virgin slams UK's new departure tax

The Virgin Atlantic airline blasted the rise in Britain's airport departure tax being introduced Monday, warning that many families would be priced out of a holiday.

Virgin Atlantic said Friday that the Air Passenger Duty (APD) hikes would make holidays "unaffordable for many", while other airlines are also fuming and tourist destinations fear a plunge in business.

The tax, imposed at the point of purchase, is going up by 55 per cent for the longest flights.

I wonder if it will just push travellers to fly to europe first. I know its often a couple of hundred to fly into france or elsewhere then get the train to UK.
I think they are shooting themselves in the foot with this one.

 

[serfty]

... I wonder if it will just push travellers to fly to europe first. I know its often a couple of hundred to fly into france or elsewhere then get the train to UK.
I think they are shooting themselves in the foot with this one.

It already has; these tax increased were announced 30 months ago.

It's a common ruse to depart from the Netherlands to Oz via London; thereby avoiding it.

I do note the new UK government conservatives had a replacement tax as part of their election manifest.

ISTR this was to replace this tax per PAX with a tax per flight; incorporating many flights not currently subject to it.

Bye bye APD, hello plane tax - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[simongr]

How do you avoid this though? Would you get a cheap flight to Amsterdam and then fly back to LHR before flying to Oz?

 

[serfty]

How do you avoid this though? Would you get a cheap flight to Amsterdam and then fly back to LHR before flying to Oz?

It all depends upon the fares; however APD is not payable on UK transits as distinct from UK departures.

i.e. AMS-xLON-SYD would not be assessed for APD.

 

[anat0l]

No surprises here, and nothing to like either. At least, I think no one could possibly like this.

Taxes in EU are high all around, though. In UK the APD dominates, whereas around the rest of EU you get some pretty disgusting fuel fines.

 

[samh004]

No surprises here, and nothing to like either. At least, I think no one could possibly like this.

All those greenies who want to see LHR shrink, not grow, and anyone under the flight path. And I know it applies to all airport, I’m just picking the biggest target.