Reform UK has pledged to eliminate short-haul flight taxes for adults flying with children, a new campaign promise aimed at easing the financial burden on vacationing families.
The announcement, made at London's Heathrow Airport by the party's Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick, outlined estimated savings of £45 for a family of four heading overseas, and £48 for domestic trips.
According to the party, the £166 million annual price tag for the policy would be funded by slashing foreign aid, "migrant welfare," and mental health benefit payments.
The proposed abolition of the Air Passenger Duty (APD) would apply to any domestic or short-haul economy ticket where an adult travels alongside an individual under the age of 18. Currently, airlines pay APD on outbound UK flights and pass the fee onto consumers, though children under 16 flying economy are already exempt.
This tax-cut promise arrives just as APD rates are set to climb. Starting Wednesday, domestic flight taxes will increase by £1 (reaching £8), and short-haul international flights will jump by £2 to £15. Private jet duties are also soaring by 50%. The Office for Budget Responsibility anticipates the tax will generate £4.6 billion for the Treasury in the 2025-2026 financial year.
"This is a time of year where millions of Brits will be going on holiday, catching some sun in Majorca or Tenerife, and millions more will be sat at home over the Easter holidays thinking about booking a family holiday," Jenrick stated during the press conference.
Acknowledging the heavy squeeze on household budgets, he added: "We don't like taxes on fun. We are going to find every possible way to lighten the load."
Jenrick clarified that the tax break would also benefit grandparents holidaying with grandchildren as well as organized school trips. To illustrate the impact, Reform calculated that a four-person family—assuming one child is over 16—flying to Malaga, Spain, would save £45 on tickets totaling £196.
While APD is currently a centralized UK-wide tax, its control is slated to be devolved to Scotland next year. A party insider noted that if a snap election were called, the policy would roll out nationally, but post-devolution implementation in Scotland would ultimately fall to regional leadership.
Political rivals were quick to dismiss the proposal. A Labour representative pointed to Nigel Farage's previous resistance to taxing private jets, contrasting Reform's approach with Labour's "serious plan" to reduce living costs through wage hikes and targeted energy bill cuts.
Conservative Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride branded the plan as "gimmicks and economic illiteracy," warning that a Reform government "would be an economic catastrophe."
The Liberal Democrats agreed that current taxes unfairly penalize families taking summer vacations. However, transport spokesperson Olly Glover pivoted to attack Reform's broader geopolitical stances, claiming their "slavish loyalty" to Donald Trump negatively impacts the very global oil and gas prices that are squeezing consumers at the pump and the terminal.
Meanwhile, Green Party Deputy Leader Rachel Millward criticized the policy as an "unfunded" handout that would predominantly benefit the wealthy. She instead argued for a system that grants everyone one tax-free flight annually, paired with a frequent-flyer levy on subsequent trips to better balance economic relief with climate goals.
