Revealed: UK airline industry’s push for ‘ultra low’ prices on domestic flights

Ryanair has offered new domestic routes, including London to Cornwall, since the tax cut announcement. Photograph: Artur Widak/Shutterstock

A controversial new cut in air passenger tax due next month was passed after the airline industry told the government it would lead to a new era of “ultra low” prices for domestic flights in the UK, with one airline predicting a 31% rise in passengers, industry documents reveal.

The new cut in air passenger duty (APD) for domestic flights was approved by Rishi Sunak when he was chancellor, halving the price to £6.50 from 1 April. The rail industry has warned the move could increase carbon emissions by 27,000 tonnes a year and result in 220,000 fewer rail journeys a year.