The much-hated British Air Passenger Duty (APD) which for the past several years has made flying in and out of the UK more expensive than many other routes, is getting some adjustments and reductions.
British tourism and travel companies, as well as airlines, have long lobbied against the charge, which was enacted as a "green" measure but became mainly a revenue item. It's also drawn a lot of criticism for its effect in making travel by Britons with family ties to the Caribbean extra-expensive.
The new rules change in several ways. First, the "banding" that determines what fee applies to which flight has been simplified to two: one band applies to flights to countries whose capitals are less than 2000 miles from London, the other to those whose capitals are further. Second, starting immediately, APD will not be charge for under-12s, and a year from now, for under-16s, a concession to families.
Still, airlines and others are not happy, and want it repealed entirely—and their hand may be strengthened by the new power given to the regional government in Scotland to abolish it there, possibly drawing business to the north.
The Telegraph (UK) has more DETAILS
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