An update on private jet tax
The government has committed to taxing private jets a bit more fairly - but hasn’t gone nearly far enough.
For years, private jets have enjoyed generous tax breaks, despite being the most polluting way to fly. A single private jet passenger can emit up to 30 times more carbon than someone flying economy on a commercial plane - yet often pays less tax.
That is finally starting to change.
What’s changed?
The government has announced reforms to Air Passenger Duty (APD) that will increase the tax paid by some people flying on private jets.
From April 2027, more private jets will be charged the higher rate of APD, rather than the standard rate that applies to passengers on commercial flights. This matters because around three quarters of private jet passengers were previously able to avoid higher tax thanks to outdated rules based on aircraft weight and number of seats.
In practice, this means that some private jet passengers will pay several times more tax per flight compared to what they have been paying, especially on long-haul journeys. But the rate of tax will still be disproportionately small compared to the cost of a ticket, meaning commercial passengers are still paying a much higher rate of passenger tax. And some private jets will still get away with paying absolutely nothing.
Why this still isn’t enough
While this reform is progress, it doesn’t fix the problem.
Closing the weight limit loophole will raise some revenue for the Treasury - approximately £10million; a tiny amount in comparison to the £2.7bn that would be raised from taxing private jets fairly.
Private jets will still pay no fuel duty, which means that a single driver filling up at the pump pays more tax on that fuel than a billionaire flying to the Bahamas. . And even after the increase, the tax paid by private jet users remains tiny compared to the cost of these flights and the climate damage they cause.
At a time when ordinary people are facing the high cost of living and struggling public services, it’s only fair that the richest and most polluting flyers should pay their fair share.
What Possible is calling for
Possible believes the government should go further by:
Removing all tax exemptions for private jets
Introducing a new, fair rate of ADP for private jets (30X the current highest rate) and applying this to all private aircraft, regardless of size.
Introducing a fair kerosene tax for private jet fuel.
Using the revenue to fund clean transport and climate action
This reform shows that change is possible when public pressure works. Now the government must finish the job and make flying fair for people and the planet.