TAXING TIMES FOR HOLIDAYS…

THIS year’s budget has made British fliers the most highly taxed in the world. On April 1, Air Passenger Duty rose by eight per cent, double the rate of inflation. What’s more, APD will rise again in April 2013, in line with inflation.

This means that a family of four taking a holiday to Europe will now pay £52 in APD (up from £48).

If the same family flies to the US or Egypt, they will fork out £260 (up from £240). Those going to the Caribbean or South Africa will pay £324 (up from £300). And should the family visit Argentina or Australia, they will have pay £368 (up from £340).

In effect, APD has risen by as much as 360 percent since 2005 when it was only a fiver per person on flights to Europe and £20 per person on all other services.

Airline and tour operators are campaigning against further increases and claim that ordinary families are being taxed out of flying. Do you agree? Let me know at