Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates for flights departing the UK will increase from 1 April 2027, after HM Revenue and Customs confirmed revised charges for airlines and aircraft operators. The changes will apply to passengers travelling in economy, premium economy, business and first class, with the largest cash increases applying to longer-distance journeys and premium cabins.
APD is levied on airlines and aircraft operators. The government’s position is that carriers and operators ordinarily pass the cost on to passengers through fares, although HM Revenue and Customs said that pricing remains a commercial decision for each airline or operator. The revised rates therefore affect the tax component of tickets rather than setting the final price paid by travellers.
Higher rates across international bands
For a short-haul international flight from the UK in economy, the duty will rise from £15 to £15.49. The economy rate for mid-haul and long-haul services up to 5,500 miles will increase from £102 to £105.33, while the rate for longer-distance flights will move from £106 to £109.46.
Premium-class passengers will also face higher charges. The duty on short-haul travel in premium economy, business or first class will rise from £32 to £33.04. For journeys in the mid-haul and up-to-5,500-mile category, the rate will increase from £244 to £251.95. On longer flights, the charge will move from £253 to £261.25.
| Journey and cabin | Current rate | Rate from 1 April 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Short-haul international, economy | £15 | £15.49 |
| Mid-haul and up to 5,500 miles, economy | £102 | £105.33 |
| Longer-distance, economy | £106 | £109.46 |
| Short-haul international, premium cabins | £32 | £33.04 |
| Mid-haul and up to 5,500 miles, premium cabins | £244 | £251.95 |
| Longer-distance, premium cabins | £253 | £261.25 |
Domestic and child exemptions
Domestic APD will also change for economy passengers, rising from £8 to £8.26. The premium domestic rate is listed as £16.52 both before and after the change.
Children aged under 16 on the date of the flight and travelling in the lowest class of travel will remain exempt. Children under two who do not occupy a seat will also remain exempt, regardless of the class in which they travel.
“This measure may therefore impact individuals who travel by air, who may see an increase in air fares. Those individuals who travel in larger more luxurious private jets may see a bigger increase.”
HM Revenue and Customs made the assessment in an impact statement, which also said that the customer experience was expected to remain broadly unchanged because the measure does not alter how individuals interact with the department.
Industry calls for a freeze rejected
The confirmation follows pleas from the aviation and travel industry for the government and HM Treasury to freeze APD rates. Industry representatives have argued that higher taxation on departing passengers can add to the cost of air travel and affect the commercial environment in which airlines plan capacity and operate routes.
The reported changes are scheduled to take effect at the start of the 2027-28 tax year. The revised structure preserves different bands according to distance and cabin class, meaning the impact will vary between domestic services, short-haul routes, longer international operations and premium-cabin travel.
- New APD rates will apply from 1 April 2027.
- Economy duty will rise across short-haul, up-to-5,500-mile and longer-distance international bands.
- Children under 16 in the lowest class of travel, and children under two without a seat, will remain exempt.
