Extra air tax to spark chaos

12 April 2012

Holidaymakers may be forced to hand over extra cash at the airport to cover the rise in passenger duty announced by Chancellor Gordon Brown this week, it is reported.

The doubling of the tax does not come into force until February but will apply to flights included in trips already booked that leave after that date.

One airline boss told the Daily Mail it could create a "logistical nightmare" at airports and cause chaos as staff try to collect the money.

The newspaper said the travel industry was due to hold a "council of war" to discuss how to deal with the impact of the tax change.

A spokeswoman for the Treasury said it was ready to discuss "practical issues" around the collection of the tax - part of a package of 'green' measures.

"The rise in air passenger duty to better reflect the environmental costs of air travel does not take effect until February next year," she said. "It is airline companies who are liable for the duty on tickets they sell. We remain ready, though, to discuss practical issues around implementing the new rate with them."

Air passenger duty will rise from £5 to £10 for economy-seat passengers taking domestic and European short-haul flights, in changes unveiled in Wednesday's Pre-Budget Report.

It will increase from £20 to £40 for economy-seat travellers on long-haul flights, with business and first class passengers facing bills of £40 for short-haul flights and £80 for long-haul.

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