Flights heading to popular holiday destinations across Europe including Italy, Norway, Netherlands and Croatia will be hit with a new £32 charge from April.

Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates are rising next month which is likely to have a knock-on effect for air fares, resulting in pricier ticket prices for passengers. APD is a tax paid by airline operators to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for passengers departing from UK airports, with the rates varying depending on the length of flights and the class of travel. The tax was first introduced in 1994 to offset the environmental impact of air travel and applies to passengers aged 16 or over travelling on both domestic and international flights.

While APD is paid by airline operators, ticket prices usually include a charge to cover this cost and airlines then pass the fee to HMRC, so any increase typically means more expensive air fares for UK passengers.

The new APD rates from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, have been confirmed by HMRC, with costs ranging from £8 to a whopping £1,141 per person depending on where you’re travelling to and the class you’re travelling in.

Economy passengers face the lowest APD charges, with business and first class passengers brunting the higher fees, but costs go up the further you’re flying.

The flight taxes are divided into four bands, with the cheapest being domestic flights and those that fall into Band A. Domestic flight charges for economy class are rising from £14 to £16 from April, while business class rates are going up from £84 to £142.

Band A covers flights from zero to 2,000 miles, which would include all of Europe and the majority of North Africa, so travel to Italy, Norway, Netherlands and Croatia, among other popular European hotspots, would fall into this category.

Economy passengers travelling to Band A destinations will be hit with a £4 increase from April 1, with rates rising from £28 to £32. But those flying business, first or premium economy face a much bigger increase, with rates rising by £58 from £84 to £142.

Band B covers flights between 2,001 to 5,500 miles which would include destinations such as the USA, Canada, United Arab Emirates and India.

Economy passengers travelling to Band B destinations will see rates go up from £216 to £244 from April, while those in higher classes will pay £1,097 instead of £647.

Band C applies to destinations over 5,500 miles from the UK, such as Australia, New Zealand and Thailand, with economy rates going up from £224 to £253, and premium rates rising from £674 to £1,141.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) predicts the latest increase will generate £5.2 billion for the exchequer by 2027, compared to £4.6 billion this year.

Listed is a full breakdown of the new APD rates from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, for flights in each band:

Domestic band

• Reduced rate (lowest class of travel) – £8
• Standard rate (other than the lowest class of travel) – £16
• Higher rate – £142

Band A (flights from 0 to 2,000 miles)

• Reduced rate – £15
• Standard rate – £32
• Higher rate – £142

Band B (flights from 2,001 to 5,500 miles)

• Reduced rate – £102
• Standard rate – £244
• Higher rate – £1,097

Band C (flights more than 5,500 miles)

• Reduced rate – £106
• Standard rate – £253
• Higher rate – £1,141