From 1 February this year, the UK Government has increased Air Passenger Duty (APD) from £20 to £40 per passenger for Economy passengers, and £40 to £80 per passenger for Premium Economy and Upper Class® passengers. The tax applies to every passenger (excluding infants and some transit passengers) leaving on a flight from any UK airport.

APD is a government tax which has been paid by passengers since it was introduced 13 years ago. The government says the extra APD raised will be targeted at helping our environment and tackling climate change.

The following passengers are exempt from paying the additional tax:

• Infants (under the age of 2)
  
• Passengers in transit who are connecting to an onward flight within 24 hours of landing in the UK

Virgin Atlantic APD policy

Tickets issued on or after December 13, 2006:
Increased APD must be displayed and collected on all tickets issued on or after December 13, 2006 for travel on or after February 1, 2007, and your GDS prices this automatically.

In the event that incorrect taxes are displayed, Virgin Atlantic has the right to charge travel agents and tour operators by subsequently raising an ADM.

Tickets issued on or before December 12, 2006:
Virgin Atlantic needs to collect the additional government tax from your customers directly on tickets issued on or before December 12, 2006 for travel on or after February 1, 2007.

We would like your support to ensure that your clients’ travel experience is not affected. We kindly request that you advise your clients directly to explain how to pay the additional APD.

Payment instructions:
All of your clients have the option to prepay the additional APD, to avoid any unnecessary delays at the airport.

Your clients should visit virginatlantic.com/greenorbrown at least 48 hours prior to their return home from the UK.

Your clients will be required to enter their full name, flight number, cabin of travel and flight date. They will then be asked to enter their card details into a secure PayPal system and will be issued with a receipt confirming payment. Please advise your clients to bring this receipt with them to present at airport check in.

Failure to produce a receipt of proof of payment will require passengers to pay on arrival at the airport in the UK. All passengers who have not prepaid on our website will be asked at check in to make payment by cash or credit card.

We strongly advise that your customers to pay the additional APD online now.
Failure to do so is likely to result in additional queuing time at the airport.

We would like to extend our thanks in advance to you for communicating this message to your customers, and for your continued support in ensuring that your passengers experience minimal disruption.