Reform UK has pledged to abolish air passenger duty (APD) on short-haul flights for families travelling with children if it wins the next election.
Robert Jenrick, the party’s Treasury spokesman, branded APD a “family holiday tax”, telling a press conference near Heathrow Airport that Reform’s policy would save families £45 on international flights or £48 for domestic flights.
Airlines have long called for APD – which is imposed on flights from most UK airports – to be reduced or cut, claiming this would lead to an increase in demand for travel.
Reform leader Nigel Farage described the policy as a “Brexit benefit”.
He denied the move would largely benefit those who are better-off and take more flights, saying it would be “equitable and fair in every way”.
APD rates, which are based on the length of the flight and the class of cabin, will increase from Wednesday.
Passengers travelling in economy will be charged £8 for a domestic flight and £15 for a short-haul flight, up to 2,000 miles.
Mr Jenrick, who defected from the Conservative Party earlier this year, described the £15 rate as “insane” as it represented “a rate of tax of 33% on Ryanair’s average ticket price”.
Speaking on Tuesday, he said: “In our first budget, we will get rid of the family holiday tax.
“Air passenger duty will be gone for short-haul family trips, that will save a family on average £45 on their flights, whether that’s abroad, or £48 if they’re going on holiday here in the UK.
“That means that if you are catching a flight, for example, as a family to Malaga, you would save 23% on the cost of your flights.
“We appreciate that’s not a huge amount of money, but it’s an important saving that will make (it) just a bit easier, to have that family trip, to have a bit of fun, to get away and spend time with your loved ones.”
He added: “This will apply to any holiday that is being booked for an adult travelling with those under the age of 18.
“That could be a mum and dad taking their kids on holiday, it could be grandparents, it could be uncles and aunts, and it can be school trips as well.”
After Wednesday’s increases, the APD rate will be £102 for long-haul flights – 2,001 to 5,500 miles – and £106 for ultra long-haul flights – more than 5,500 miles.
Those flying in premium cabins will be charged £16 for a domestic flight, £32 for a short-haul flight, £244 for a long-haul flight and £253 for an ultra long-haul flight.
Private jet passengers will face a rate of £142 for domestic or short-haul flights, £1,097 for long-haul flights and £1,141 for ultra long-haul flights.
Mr Jenrick said: “Whilst we’re cutting it at Reform, on the first of April – April Fool’s Day, of course – Rachel Reeves is hiking this same tax.
“That’s the difference between Reform and this Labour Government.”
In January last year, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary claimed the Chancellor “hasn’t a clue” about how to generate growth in aviation, as he criticised her for announcing increases in APD.
Mr Farage hit out at the Labour Party on Tuesday, claiming it is facing an “existential” crisis with a potential collapse among its voter base.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Nigel Farage has constantly jetted off around the world since becoming an MP, bagging hundreds of thousands of pounds for himself in the process. Reform are not on your side.
“Labour took the fair choice to hike tax on big private jets, which Farage opposed.
“Only Labour is delivering a serious plan to ease the cost of living for families. From this week, the lowest earners will get a pay rise, pensions are going up and energy bills being cut.”
Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: “Before coming out with yet more half-baked announcements, Reform should explain the vast £10.5 billion black hole in their pubs ‘plan’.
“A Reform government would be an economic catastrophe. Serious times call for serious thinking – not gimmicks and economic illiteracy.”
