UK Air Tax Just Became the World's Highest. Here's How to Beat It

From April 2026, the UK will officially levy the highest air departure taxes in the world. Air Passenger Duty rates rise on 1 April, adding £2 to £5 per passenger on most long-haul routes. For a family of four flying premium economy to Orlando, that means over £1,000 in APD alone by summer 2027.

But there is a workaround, and it lies in the Scottish Highlands.

The New Rates at a Glance

The UK government confirmed the 2025/26 APD rates on gov.uk. Here is how they break down.

| Band | Distance | Economy | Premium |

|------|----------|---------|---------|

| Domestic | UK only | £7 | £14 |

| Band A | 0-2,000 miles | £13 | £28 |

| Band B | 2,001-5,500 miles | £90 | £216 |

| Band C | 5,500+ miles | £94 | £224 |

Band B covers the East Coast of the United States, Dubai, and much of the Caribbean. Band C captures Australia, New Zealand, and the Far East.

Why This Matters Now

Airlines pass APD directly to passengers. It appears as a line item on every ticket. The increase is modest on short hops, but on long-haul routes it compounds fast. A couple flying business class to Tokyo will pay £448 in APD alone. Add fuel surcharges, airport fees, and taxes, and the base fare can feel like an afterthought.

The Scottish Highlands Exemption

Here is the detail most travellers miss. Flights departing from airports in the Scottish Highlands and Islands are entirely exempt from APD. This includes Inverness, which offers direct routes to London, Amsterdam, and seasonal services to Mediterranean destinations.

Barra, Tiree, and Campbeltown are also exempt, though their schedules are limited. The real opportunity is Inverness. A family starting their journey there instead of Heathrow or Gatwick would save the full APD charge on every ticket. For long-haul travel, that difference pays for a hotel night or a rental car.

How to Use This

You do not need to live in Scotland to benefit. Book a domestic flight or train to Inverness, then depart internationally from there. The savings on APD for a family of four to the United States would be £360 in economy, or £864 in premium cabins. Even after factoring in the positioning cost, you often come out ahead.

Airlines serving Inverness include easyJet, British Airways, KLM, and Loganair. Routes expand seasonally, so summer 2026 schedules may offer more choice than current timetables suggest.

The Bigger Picture

The UK APD rise continues a decade-long trend of increasing departure taxes. Airlines have lobbied against it, arguing it damages competitiveness. The government maintains it supports public finances and environmental goals. Either way, passengers pay.

Smart travellers adapt. For Scottish residents, the exemption is a straightforward benefit. For everyone else, it is a reminder to look beyond the obvious departure airports. Sometimes the cheapest flight is the one that starts a few hundred miles north.

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**Sources**

- [UK Air Passenger Duty rates 2025/26](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/rates-and-allowances-air-passenger-duty), HM Revenue & Customs

- [Scottish Highlands and Islands APD exemption](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/air-passenger-duty-exemptions-for-northern-scotland), GOV.UK

- [Inverness Airport destinations](https://www.hial.co.uk/inverness-airport/), Highlands and Islands Airports Limited