Increases in UK Air Passenger Duty from Today – Air fares to rise!!

今日11月1日より、イギリスの航空旅客税（出国税、Air Passenger Duty）が値上げになった。2段階式値上げで、来年11月1日はさらに値上げとなる（以下の表参照）。エコノミーでヨーロッパ内ならたった£1の違いだが、長距離、例えば日本（Band C）なら、元の£40から25%増の£10値上がりの£50になる（来年はなんと£75！）。イギリスの航空券は、チケットの額面価格に加え、航空旅客税／出国税、各空港使用料、各航空会社規定のセキュリティーチャージ、燃料費等、その他諸々の費用が£200以上（ブリティッシュ・エアウェイズの例）になることもあり、£10でもばかにならない。2004年に税が導入された時は、短距離£5、長距離£20だったのが、どんどん上がっている。

今回の増税は、アンフェアだという声もある（デイリー・テレグラフの記事参照）。上記のeasyJetの新聞広告にもあるように、富裕層や企業向けのプライベート・ジェット（自家用機）や貨物便は無税だ。また、エコノミーよりもちょっと広いだけのプレミアム・エコノミークラスが、エコノミークラスではなく、ビジネスやファーストクラスと同等だというのも不公平だ。また、最初は環境税として導入された航空旅客税が、1ペニーも環境保護政策に使われていないと言う。結局政府の税収増加のための言い訳なんだろう。またテレグラフ紙は、航空旅客税撤回キャンペーンも行っている。増税反対の人は、是非署名を！

The first of two increases in UK Air Passenger Duty (APD) comes into effect today on November 1 (see the tables below). Tiny fraction of £1 increase for a European flight, but long-haul, for example APD for a flight to Japan (Band C) is now £50, £10 (25%) increase from £40 (next year will be astonishing increase to £75 – almost double!!). £10 increase may not sound a big deal, but airport tax, fuel surcharges, and other fees and charges in addition to APD are added to a ticket price (for British Airways casefor a flight to Japan is over £200!! ), therefore, £10 is another blow to already expensive charges. In 2004 the Government imposed APD at £5 for short-haul flights and £20 for long-haul flights, but it has gone up and up since then!

The Daily Telegraph accuses this APD increase as unfair for the ordinary British holidaymaker. As in the easyJet newspaper ad above, private jet customers and cargo plane don’t have to pay APD. Also Premium Economy class with slightly bigger leg-rooms than Economy is hit the hardest – it is categorized in “Premium Cabins”, instead of “Economy Cabin,” together with Business and First Class which are much spacious than Premium Economy. Furthermore, originally APD was introduced to the public as a “green” tax, but not a penny has been spent on environmental causes. I guess another excuse for the government to rip us off to increase tax revenues. The Daily Telegraph starts a campaign to stop this tax on travel – please sign the petition!!

Band A: 0 – 2000 miles from London

	Economy	Premium Economy, Business, First Class
before November 2009	£10	£20
November 2009	£11	£22
November 2010	£12	£24

Includes: Europe, Algeria, Greenland, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia

Band B: 2001-4000 miles

	Economy	Premium Economy, Business, First Class
before November 2009	£40	£80
November 2009	£45	£90
November 2010	£60	£120

Includes: Bermuda, Canada, Egypt, Gambia, Jordan, Oman, Russia (east of Urals), Syria, UAE, US

Band C: 4001-6000 miles

	Economy	Premium Economy, Business, First Class
before November 2009	£40	£80
November 2009	£50	£100
November 2010	£75	£150

Includes: Botswana, Brazil, Caribbean, China, India, Japan, Kenya, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Seychelles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand

Band D: more than 6000 miles

	Economy	Premium Economy, Business, First Class
before November 2009	£40	£80
November 2009	£55	£110
November 2010	£85	£170

Includes: Argentina, Australia, Chile, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, Singapore

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