PM Reported to Favour Axeing APD for Children

The 'Scrap The Tax On Family Flights' campaign, launched today by the Fair Tax on Flying lobby group, has received a boost from David Cameron’s alleged support for the plan to axe Air Passenger Duty on air tickets for under-12s.

According to The Sunday Express, the British prime minister recently told Tory MPs: 'I really like this one. I have three children under 10 myself.'

A poll by ComRes revealed that 65% of respondents believe that government should exempt under-12s from APD and 75% feel it's unfair that British families pay a flight tax. Only four other European countries charge a levy comparable with the UK’s; the Netherlands, Denmark and Republic of Ireland have abolished their departure taxes.


The campaign has backing from 30+ partners working in aviation, travel and tourism and from many MPs. Says Richard Singer, European MD of Travelzoo: ‘A removal of tax on all flights for children under the age of 12 is in keeping with our aim to fight what we call the Parent Trap – the combined effect of the government fines for term-time holidays, the highest flight tax in the world and the increase in price of travel during peak dates.’



If APD was axed, a family with two young children would stand to save up to £340 on return flights to Florida, it has been claimed.