Budget Air Passenger Duty Hike "Makes NI Less Attractive to Airlines," Warns Belfast International

News in today's UK Budget that Air Passenger Duty is to increase again in 2027 despite also increasing in April 2026 has been condemned by Belfast International Airport who say that it makes NI less attractive to airlines considering new routes due to the tax not being charged south of the border.

Dan Owens, Chief Executive Officer of Belfast International Airport said: “For a Chancellor and Government that talks about growth, today’s budget will likely damage the UK’s tourism and aviation sector with its increase in Air Passenger Duty. As an island off an island, NI needs air travel, as we do not have the option of rail connectivity that the rest of the UK has.

“This is an additional tax on air travel that the Irish Republic does not have and therefore it makes NI less attractive to airlines considering introducing new routes. This is a harmful tax that suffocates economic growth."

The airport say that they will now ask the NI Executive to step in. "If the Executive is committed to meeting its target of increasing the value of tourism in NI to £2bn by 2030, then it needs to look at reducing APD as it is a proven way to deliver greater international connectivity and economic growth.”