Families with teenage children will fly for less from 1 March with the removal of the UK’s air tax, Air Passenger Duty (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 such as the USA, Thailand and Australia.
With significant savings on longer flights for children, bookings to family favourite Florida are up 13% over two years, perhaps partly boosted by the abolition of APD. Additionally, bookings to the Caribbean are up 29% for this summer.
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.
Children travelling in any class other than economy remain chargeable passengers, and APD will be due.
APD refund
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. Holidaymakers should contact their travel company or airline to find out more.
Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive commented: “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.”
About ABTA
ABTA has been a trusted travel brand for over 65 years. Our purpose is to support and promote a thriving and sustainable travel and tourism industry and to help our Members’ customers travel with confidence.
The ABTA brand stands for support, protection and expertise. This means consumers have confidence in ABTA and a strong trust in ABTA Members. These qualities are core to us as they ensure that holidaymakers remain confident in the holiday products that they buy from our Members.
They help their Members and their customers navigate through today’s changing travel landscape by raising standards in the industry; offering schemes of financial protection; providing an independent complaints resolution service should something go wrong; giving guidance on issues from sustainability to health and safety and by presenting a united voice to government to ensure the industry and the public get a fair deal.
ABTA currently has around 1,200 Members, with a combined annual UK turnover of £32.07 billion. For more details about what we do, what being an ABTA Member means and how we help the British public travel with confidence visit www.abta.com.
Read more here.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
