UK Air Passenger Duty Increase For Private Jets

Following the UK governments autumn budget on the 30th of October 2024, Air Passenger Duty (APD) is due to increase by 50% at the start of the 2026 financial year. Below you can find the answer to some commonly asked questions to do with APD and the upcoming charges for private jets.

What is Air Passenger Duty (APD)?

Air Passenger Duty was introduced in 2013 and is a tax charged on all flights departing from any UK airport. The tax is levied on a per passenger basis on all flights on fixed-wing aircraft with a maximum take off weight of 5.7 tonnes or more.

APD is charged relative to the size of aircraft flying (the rate) and the distance flown (the band). Most private jets will fall into the Standard Rate or Higher Rate category.

What are the different APD rates?

Reduced Rate - not typically applicable to private jets

Standard Rate - applicable to smaller private jets

Higher Rate - applicable to larger private jets

What are the different APD bands?

There are four different bands of APD which are determined by the final destination.

Domestic: This band applies to travel within England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland only.

International bands A, B & C: These bands are calculated using the distance flown from London to the destination’s capital city.

Band A (0 to 2,000 miles) includes all destinations in the EU and EEA.

Band B (2,001 to 5,500 miles) adds popular holiday locations such as Egypt and Barbados.

Band C (over 5,500 miles) includes anywhere else such as Australia and New Zealand.

What does this mean for my private jet flight?

Standard Rate - For smaller private jets

From April 2025 APD rates are due to increase inline with inflation. For private jets this ranges from £14 for shorter flights to £224 for long range flights.

• Domestic: £14

• Band A: £28

• Band B: £216

• Band C: £224

From April 2026 APD rates will increase again and will range from £16 for shorter flights to £253 for long range flights.

• Domestic: £16

• Band A: £32

• Band B: £244

• Band C: £253

Higher Rate - For larger private jets

From April 2025 APD rates are due to increase inline with inflation. For private jets this ranges from £84 for shorter flights to £673 for long range flights.

• Domestic: £84

• Band A: £84

• Band B: £647

• Band C: £673

From April 2026 APD rates will increase again and will range from £142 for shorter flights to £1,141 for long range flights.

• Domestic: £142

• Band A: £142

• Band B: £1,097

• Band C: £1,141

At dBB Aviation your quotes will include APD relevant to the number of passengers requested and the relevant band/rate. So you don’t have to worry about getting the calculator each time you fly.

If you have any questions about Air Passenger Duty, how it effects private jets or anything else, contact our Charter Advisors today.