Changes to air tax from 1st Feb **UK***

[Phil O]

I'm sure that everyone knows about this but maybe some people haven't checked with their airlines.

Tax increase means some airlines are charging customers the extra duty for flights from the 1st of February. Even though they may have booked their tickets before the announcement of this years budget.

We've checked with Excel and they're not charging us but did say most people that booked within the last few weeks, will be charged the extra duty. Works out to up to £80 extra per ticket, if flying 1st / Business class!!

[Kevin Pallant]

Phil,

Just had a conversation with Excel and was told all passengers that have booked to fly with them from Feb 07 are having to pay the increased duty (don't blame me I didn't vote for them) irrespective of when they booked, we booked ours last May!

Have you got a contact name and number so I can get the charge waived like you have?

Kevin.

[Phil O]

WEELLLLLL, I spoke to Excel directly last week and was told that we wouldn't have to pay BUT today in the post, we've got an apology letter and invoice for £40 extra to cover the tax increase from Golden Caribbean!!!! Not happy!!

Gonna call them tomorrow, will let you know how I get on.

[Kevin Pallant]

Look forward to hearing how you get on!!

[Phil O]

Well update is we've been well and truly Gordon Browned!!!

Spoke to Golden Caribbean and the information I got a few weeks back from Excel was a load of tosh.

Had to pay £40 but what do you do? Cancel your flights, not likely!!!! 5 days to go!!!

[Andy Roberts]

Got my final invoice from Golden Caribbean yesterday for flights at Easter. Been Browned too. Only £20 per person as I can only afford the cheap seats, but with 4 kids and the Wife it should finance a few trees to offset our carbon emissions.

[Phil O]

Well, £20 each for us, we are also in the peasant seats!!!

I suppose yes, the cost may offset our carbon emissions but more than likely will simply help pay for Mr Browns chauffeur.

At least Dick Turpin wore a mask!!

[Tony Gibson]

Yes, we booked through Travel Republic 4 months ago to fly in April and we were also had to pay an extra £40, its funney, but no-one admits voting for him, and no, I didnt.

[Steve Wooler]

Hi All

For clarification, may I reproduce a letter that I received from Excel on this subject and relating to my own flight out there (next Saturday).

18 January 2007

Important Notice - Increase in Airport Passenger Duty (APD)

Dear Valued Customer -

As you may be aware, the Chancellor announced a doubling of the UK Airport Passenger Duty, which is a tax implemented, controlled and collected by the UK Government.

Although we have lobbied against this increase on your behalf we greatly regret that we have no alternative but to collect this payment on behalf of the UK Government.

All passengers who booked prior to 06 December 2006, for departures on/after 01 February 2007 will be asked to pay the following additional APD supplement.

European destinations - £5 per person
Non-European destinations eg Tunisia/Egypt/Caribbean - $20 per person
XL1 Business Class - £40 per person

If your booking was made on/after 06 December 2007 then there is nothing further to pay because the increased APD was added to the cost of your flghts at that time.

This amount will be collected automatically on 1st February 2007 from the card used to pay for your booking. Should you wish to pay using an alternative card, please call a member of the Accounts team on 0870 163 3002, our opening hours are from 0900-1730 from Monday to Friday.

Yours faithfully

Freedom Flights

Although my letter was from Freedom Flights - the holiday division of Excel Airways - I believe it applies to all Excel flights whether booked direct or through agents.

[Jo B]

I thought I might add my experiences with Virgin, as they also fly to Tobago. I am booked to fly with them in March to St Lucia for the Cricket World Cup. With Virgin, as with virtually every other airline save BA, I have had to pay the extra. However, if this is paid in advance and not at check-in time, you will receive a voucher in the sum of the tax paid to be used against future Virgin flights. Note that they are not deducting the tax automatically from credit cards. So, in theory they are giving you your money back, provided you fly with them again within the next year or so!

Jo x

[Andy D]

Yet another Labour government stealth tax!!! They'll be taxing the air we breath next! .........nothing but robbers the lot of em!

[Tony Gibson]

Never mind Andy, at least we know if the Chancellor saw this website, he would give Steve an honer free, ( not that I'm suggesting anything)

[Steve Wooler]

The thick brown envelope is well on its way. Watch this space!