Rising air passenger duties will make holidays too expensive for many

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MPs have warned Chancellor George Osbourne that rising air fares will make foreign holidays too expensive for many families.

In a strongly-worded letter, 20 signatories have urged him to abandon the plan for a double-inflation rise in air passenger duty next April, following another price rise planned for the New Year.

MPs and peers believe that both price hikes will make it "harder for British families to enjoy overseas holidays."

The letter, which has been signed by Conservatives Henry Smith, Graham Brady and Philip Davies, said: "The Government's intention is to introduce a double-inflation air passenger duty rise in April 2012 even after the aviation sector enters the Emissions Trading Scheme in January 2012, adding extra cost to each flight.

"The effect of these two tax increases on the travelling public will be a significant increase in the cost of flying abroad next year, at a time when many ordinary families are already coming under severe financial pressure."

Britain already pays the highest aviation tax in Europe.

The Chancellor is expected to confirm the duty increase in his autumn statement at the end of November.

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