Flights heading to popular European holiday hotspots including Spain, France, Portugal and Greece will be hit with a new £32 charge from April.

Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates are due to increase next month which is likely to have a knock-on effect for air fares, resulting in pricier ticket prices for passengers. APD is a tax paid by airline operators to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for passengers departing from UK airports, with the 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.

HMRC has confirmed the new APD rates from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, and depending on where you’re travelling to and what class you’re travelling in, the rates vary between £8 to and £1,141 per person.

Economy passengers will pay the least APD, with business and first class passengers brunting the higher charges, but of course the fee will vary based on how far you’re flying.

The flight taxes are divided into four bands, with the cheapest being domestic flights and those that fall into Band A. Domestic flight charges for economy class will rise from £14 to £16 from April, while business class rates will go up from £84 to £142.

Band A covers flights from zero to 2,000 miles, which would include all of Europe and the majority of North Africa, so travel to Spain, France, Portugal and Greece, among other popular European hotspots, would fall into this category.

Economy passengers travelling to Band A destinations will be hit with a £28 charge from April 1 – an increase of £4 from the current £32 fee – while those flying business, first or premium economy will see rates go up from £84 to £142.

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.

Economy passengers travelling to Band B destinations will see rates go up from £216 to £244 from April, while those in higher classes will pay £1,097 instead of £647.

Band C applies to destinations over 5,500 miles from the UK, such as Australia, New Zealand and Thailand, with economy rates going up from £224 to £253, and premium rates rising from £674 to £1,141.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) predicts the latest increase will generate £5.2 billion for the exchequer by 2027, compared to £4.6 billion this year.

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Here is a full breakdown of the new APD rates from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, for flights in each band:

Domestic band

• Reduced rate (lowest class of travel) – £8
• Standard rate (other than the lowest class of travel) – £16
• Higher rate – £142

Band A (flights from 0 to 2,000 miles)

• Reduced rate – £15
• Standard rate – £32
• Higher rate – £142

Band B (flights from 2,001 to 5,500 miles)

• Reduced rate – £102
• Standard rate – £244
• Higher rate – £1,097
  

Band C (flights more than 5,500 miles)

• Reduced rate – £106
• Standard rate – £253
• Higher rate – £1,141