Outrage over UK’s increase in flight tax
LONDON, England – Airlines, travel agents and passenger groups have strongly condemned the decision by British authorities to increase the departure tax to the Caribbean.
The British government over the weekend increased the tax, officially known as the Air Passenger Duty (ADP).
According to the new figures, a family of four travelling to the Caribbean will now pay US$327 in taxes, or US$655.65 if they are travelling in premium economy seats.
“We are very disappointed that the government is continuing with its plans to increase APD,” Thomas Cook, a major travel agency in London, in a statement said.
“They have steadfastly refused to listen to any of the arguments the travel industry has presented and, yet again, are making the consumer pay,” it added.
The increase is the latest in a series of price hikes since February 2007, with officials warning that the charges will rise again in November 2010.