Airport Guide
Oh Darling, the cost of long-haul flights are now set to soar
Most years, the government's Budget passes the majority of people by relatively unnoticed, with the average Briton only really bothered about how any changes will affect the price of their beer, fags or petrol or what type of alcoholic drink the Chancellor plumped for when giving his speech to the House of Commons.
Understandably, however, this has hardly been the case this year, with even the least fiscally-minded households glued to their screens for the Budget and lapping up all the implications.
Of course, the whole policy of 'taxing the rich' is unlikely to have any effect on the typical Brit, but the decision to push ahead with an increase in Air Passenger Duty (APD) could have a massive impact on the aviation industry, and airline ticket prices in particular.
Despite widespread protest from airlines and passenger groups over recent weeks, departure taxes on long-haul flights will indeed go up by as much as a whopping 112 per cent next year.
And, unlike some charges such as airport landing fees, carriers won't be able to absorb the increased costs on behalf of their customers, as some have been doing in order to get through the current economic turbulence.
Given that millions of Britons are currently planning on staying at home in 2009 and may therefore be looking forward to jetting off again in 2010, the figures look worrying indeed.
As an example, a family of four wanting to take a trip to Thailand or go on safari in Kenya will see their APD soar from its current rate of around £150 to a massive £300, while for trips 'down under', this fee is likely to be as much as £340 - undoubtedly enough to make that cottage in Llandudno seem even more appealing.
Unsurprisingly, consumer groups and airlines alike have been up in arms, arguing that the Chancellor is looking to the wrong place in order to reduce Britain's carbon footprint - though, of course, it would have been akin to turkeys voting to keep Christmas if airlines were to give their support to the plans.
As British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh argues: "Air travel from the UK is the most heavily taxed in the world.
"The government's own figures show that UK airlines already meet their environmental costs, so there can be no 'green' justification for these additional taxes."
For the time being, it may well be the case that airlines - and particularly those most keen to entice customers back to long-haul flights - may well find a way of offsetting the rise in APD, with a cut to basic fares, for instance, though whether this will remain a long-term solution is pretty much anybody's guess.
On the plus side, the APD rates for short-haul flights will go up by just £2 over the next 18 months, making short trips to Europe as affordable as ever.
And if that wasn't enough to cheer up even the most pessimistic flyer, then news that the world's first pet airline has just taken off in the US, ferrying pampered pooches in the cabin rather than the hold, may well do the trick.
Understandably, however, this has hardly been the case this year, with even the least fiscally-minded households glued to their screens for the Budget and lapping up all the implications.
Of course, the whole policy of 'taxing the rich' is unlikely to have any effect on the typical Brit, but the decision to push ahead with an increase in Air Passenger Duty (APD) could have a massive impact on the aviation industry, and airline ticket prices in particular.
Despite widespread protest from airlines and passenger groups over recent weeks, departure taxes on long-haul flights will indeed go up by as much as a whopping 112 per cent next year.
And, unlike some charges such as airport landing fees, carriers won't be able to absorb the increased costs on behalf of their customers, as some have been doing in order to get through the current economic turbulence.
Given that millions of Britons are currently planning on staying at home in 2009 and may therefore be looking forward to jetting off again in 2010, the figures look worrying indeed.
As an example, a family of four wanting to take a trip to Thailand or go on safari in Kenya will see their APD soar from its current rate of around £150 to a massive £300, while for trips 'down under', this fee is likely to be as much as £340 - undoubtedly enough to make that cottage in Llandudno seem even more appealing.
Unsurprisingly, consumer groups and airlines alike have been up in arms, arguing that the Chancellor is looking to the wrong place in order to reduce Britain's carbon footprint - though, of course, it would have been akin to turkeys voting to keep Christmas if airlines were to give their support to the plans.
As British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh argues: "Air travel from the UK is the most heavily taxed in the world.
"The government's own figures show that UK airlines already meet their environmental costs, so there can be no 'green' justification for these additional taxes."
For the time being, it may well be the case that airlines - and particularly those most keen to entice customers back to long-haul flights - may well find a way of offsetting the rise in APD, with a cut to basic fares, for instance, though whether this will remain a long-term solution is pretty much anybody's guess.
On the plus side, the APD rates for short-haul flights will go up by just £2 over the next 18 months, making short trips to Europe as affordable as ever.
And if that wasn't enough to cheer up even the most pessimistic flyer, then news that the world's first pet airline has just taken off in the US, ferrying pampered pooches in the cabin rather than the hold, may well do the trick.
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