The British Business General Aviation Association has requested an urgent meeting with Aviation Minister Mike Kane, to seek acknowledgement that business and general aviation is a recognised growth enabler for UK GDP.
The Labour Government’s mission to Kickstart economic growth – to secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 – depends on the enablement of business aviation. Access to slots, access to airfields, fair taxation, investment in UK aviation manufacturing and maintenance are vital and our sector leads on innovation – from electric aviation, early adoption and promotion of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and hydrogen, as well as operational expertise.
The 50% increase in Air Passenger Duty announced in the Budget this week – affecting charter rates of ‘large’ charter aircraft (above 20 tonnes), from 2026, adds over £1,000 per passenger on charter rates for business jet passengers flying over 2,000 miles – similar to measures introduced in France.
However, the real surprise is a supplemental consultation paper released on the same day, proposing that ‘smaller’ business aircraft at 5.7 tonnes MTOW (King Air upwards size) could be slapped with a high rate of APD. Such a proposal would be a major deterrent to business, coupled with all other post Brexit regulations and costs our industry is facing, including a 90% hike n Border Force charges.
The sector most hit will be those flying on demand between London and California or London and Singapore (£1,141 pp) .
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BBGA notes: In Europe most trips will cost £142/passenger in higher rate APD, but the minute you fly more than 2,000 miles (outside of Europe), the fees increase up to over £1,000/passenger for our sector.
