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4h ago

Ryanair and Wizz Air Warn UK Over APD Rise as O'Leary Escalates Attack Before Budget

Executives say higher Air Passenger Duty would push aircraft to lower-tax markets despite forecasts of about £4.7 billion in receipts next year.

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Overview

  • Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary, speaking after stronger-than-expected first-half results, condemned plans to raise Air Passenger Duty from April and warned planes could be moved out of the UK.
  • He said the increase would equal nearly 33% of Ryanair’s average £45 fare and urged abolishing the levy outside London.
  • Ryanair and Wizz Air pointed to recent decisions—Ryanair scaling back Newquay services in favor of Sweden and Wizz Air shifting aircraft from Vienna to Bratislava—as examples of capacity relocating due to costs and taxes.
  • The government’s 26 November Autumn Budget looms, with the OBR projecting about £4.7bn from APD in 2025–26 and a 50% hike for private jets due in April alongside general increases.
  • O’Leary labeled the government “hopeless” and “useless” and said Ryanair would consider moving aircraft to countries easing travel taxes if APD is increased again.