25% Increase in APD

http://uk-airport-news.info/heathrow-airport-news-270811.html

I’ve just come across this article which states that the dreaded and pointless Air Passenger Duty could be increased by up to 25% because there are less people flying, thus leaving a ‘black hole’ in government finances.

APD was supposed to be for environmental reasons as it would reduce demand for air travel. Surely it must be working if projected revenue from it is down, but now we see the true reason – simple increased taxation, on an already grossly overtaxed country. What other possible reason could there be for a proposed increase this large?

The APD would be a little easier to understand and even appreciate, if the amounts being charged were understandable.

An amount is added to each ticket (yes, we can see it under a “heading”) but there is no way of understanding or challenging this amount. It differs from airport to airport, route to route. Does anyone actually have any idea for the basis of the calculations for all the added amounts to tickets. More importantly, is their any proof that the money is being used for purpose intended!?.

Does this mean that a flight for example

LHR – JFK – LHR OR

JFK – LHR – LHR

should have the same additions?

Is it clear how the money is actually being used?

I remember reading that the coallition wished to replace UKAPD with per plane but it was advised that to do so was against European Union law at present. I also remember there was talk about removing the exmption for private planes but I think that escaped as well. With the current administration and its view on commercial aviation and its role in the economy I would expect a large increase in UKAPD in the next budget.
My understanding is currently UKAPD is only paid by travellers beginning a leg from the UK and consequently business and tourist travel to and from third party countries flying through UK enjoy the security services without paying UKAPD.

Martyn, I buy some tickets in Uk and some in US. The fees are broadly the same, the difference being explained by exchange rate. (as fees are only ex UK and so tickets issued in US convert the UKL fee into USD).
A thought intrigues me. It has been often said a ticket AMS-LHR-JFK say is cheaper than LHR-JFK. As a result airlines try to stop people using part tickets. Question, if you buy a ticket AMS-LHR-JFK and do not use the AMS-LHR part (ignoring the fact the airline will get upset) are you liable for UKAPD if the ticket is a straight through connection?

Martyn, the exchange rate applied explains the difference as Rich states.

APD is not charged on tickets connecting thru the UK if the time here is less than 24 hours, so this explains in part why these fares can be cheaper.

sorry rich, i must have misunderstood you, i am unaware of ANY workarounds for not using the FIRST sector of an ex europe fare and starting from the second sector, so therefore i was dismissing the issue of UKAPD as in that scenario in my mind in was a non starter.