People across the UK taking flights outside of London in 2026 have been issued a warning over a hike in air fares.
Passengers flying abroad from regional airports in the UK are being warned to brace for more expensive ticket prices in the new year due to “unprecedented” rises in property tax. Analysis of official government data for the Press Association has revealed that regional airports are among those facing the steepest increases in business rates of any sector in the UK, and it is expected that these increases will ultimately translate into higher air fares for passengers.
London Heathrow and Gatwick Airport are also facing significant increases in their business rate bills, but the figures show the most extreme cases are focused outside of London, with regional airports the worst affected.
Most airports are set to see their bills more than double over the next three years, with Manchester Airport among the hardest hit.
The airport’s business rates are set to rise by £4.2 million to £18.1 million next year, according to Global tax firm Ryan’s calculation of Valuation Office Agency (VOA) data.
Meanwhile, Bristol Airport will see a £1.2 million increase to £5.2 million, Birmingham International Airport is facing a £1.8 million rise to £7.6 million, and Newcastle International Airport is expected to see a £244,755 hike to £1.1 million.
Elsewhere, Liverpool Airport, East Midlands International Airport and Bournemouth Airport are also facing significant bill increases, with rises from £233,100 to £1 million, £437,895 to £1.9 million and £102,398 to £443,723 respectively.
According to experts, these bill increases are expected to impact customers and will likely lead to more expensive air fares for passengers in 2026.
Alex Probyn, practice leader for Europe and Asia-Pacific property tax at Ryan, told PA: “With an unprecedented 295% sector-wide uplift, regional airports simply cannot absorb a cost shock of this magnitude.
“These increases will inevitably flow through the system: first into airport charges, then into airline costs, and ultimately into ticket prices.”
Trade group Airports UK has warned that the hikes will have a “knock-on effect for businesses that depend on airport connectivity in all areas of England”, and is working on a response to the Treasury’s consultation on the business rates plan, which closes in February.
Airport operators have also warned that the property tax rises may hold back investment in the sector.
A spokesperson for Manchester Airports Group said: “Airports were already some of the highest rates-payers in the country and were prepared to pay significantly more.
“But increases of more than 100% mean we have to look again at our plans to invest more than £2 billion in our airports across the UK over the next five years.
“It is inevitable air travel will become more expensive as the industry absorbs these costs. That impacts hard-working people throughout the country and makes global trade harder for businesses.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
