UK raises tax on sub-Saharan Africa economy flights to $151 and business class to $361

The increase, announced in the UK’s 2026 Budget, will affect African residents returning from Britain, diaspora travellers, tourists and business passengers departing British airports.

From April 2028, an economy-class passenger travelling to many African destinations will attract approximately $145 (£108.60) in Air Passenger Duty.

The economy charge for destinations more than 5,500 miles from London, including South Africa, will rise to approximately $151 (£112.86).

Premium-economy and business-class passengers will pay considerably more. The tax will rise to approximately $348 (£259.77) for destinations in the 2,001-to-5,500-mile band and $361 (£269.36) for longer journeys.

The new rates were published by the British Treasury as part of its 2026 Budget⁠ on Wednesday.

The increases are calculated in dollars using an exchange rate of approximately £1 to $1.34 on October 30. The eventual dollar value will change with the exchange rate.

Air Passenger Duty is charged on passengers departing British airports rather than people flying into the UK.

This means an African traveller beginning a trip in Lagos, Accra, Nairobi or Johannesburg will not pay the British tax on the outbound journey to the UK. The duty applies when the passenger departs Britain on the return journey.

The amount is generally incorporated into the ticket price and transferred to the government by the airline.

Britain determines the applicable band using the distance between London and the capital of the passenger’s final destination country, not necessarily the city where the aircraft lands.

Many destinations in West, East and Central Africa fall within Band B, covering journeys of between 2,001 and 5,500 miles. South Africa and some other distant destinations fall under Band C, covering journeys beyond 5,500 miles.

North African destinations closer to London may fall into the cheaper Band A.

Connecting flights booked as one continuous journey are generally assessed using the passenger’s final destination rather than the first airport at which the aircraft stops.

The latest Budget increase follows another rise already scheduled for April 2027.

From April 2027, economy duty for Band B destinations will rise from $137 (£102) to approximately $141 (£105.33). The corresponding premium and business-class charge will increase from $327 (£244) to about $337 (£251.95).

For Band C destinations, the economy tax will rise from $142 (£106) to approximately $147 (£109.46), while the standard charge will climb from $339 (£253) to about $350 (£261.25).

The April 2028 adjustment will take those charges still higher.

Private aviation attracts the most substantial rates. From April 2028, qualifying business-jet passengers travelling to Band B destinations will attract approximately $1,564 (£1,167.93) each, rising to about $1,627 (£1,214.78) for Band C destinations.

Direct long-haul flights from Northern Ireland are zero-rated, while separate exemptions apply to departures from airports in the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Travel industry representatives had asked the government to freeze the duty and broaden exemptions for children as households faced higher travel and living costs.

The Treasury rejected the request and said the 2028 rates would rise with the Retail Prices Index, a measure of British inflation.

Air Passenger Duty is already one of the most substantial government charges incorporated into long-haul tickets from Britain.

Although airlines are legally responsible for paying the duty, the cost is normally reflected in fares. The eventual effect on individual ticket prices will depend on the airline, route, travel class and competitive conditions.

The increase is particularly relevant to African routes because passengers already face relatively high long-haul fares and limited direct competition on several destinations.

It could also raise costs for diaspora travel and African tourism businesses seeking visitors from Britain, one of the world’s largest aviation markets.

UK airports handled a record 302 million passenger journeys in 2025, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.

The Budget decision means the government will continue increasing the amount it collects from that recovery, including from passengers travelling between Britain and Africa.