Yes. From 1 April 2027, the higher rate of Air Passenger Duty is due to apply to private and business jets of 5.7 tonnes or more, not just those of 20 tonnes or more. The draft rate is £146.63 per passenger on UK and Band A flights. It is one of the tax measures HMRC lists with Budget 2026.
Charter-A Ltd is a UK private jet and helicopter charter company with a 24-hour operations team, so we are asked about this tax a lot. Here is what the official papers say, what they do not say yet, and what it could mean if you are planning a flight after 1 April 2027. If you are comparing options, start with our private jet charter page.
What did the Budget say about Air Passenger Duty and private jets?
The Budget was delivered on 28 October 2026. HMRC’s list of Budget tax documents includes an item called “Air Passenger Duty and private jets”. The policy paper behind it was published on 13 July 2026, with draft legislation open for comment until 7 September 2026. We have read both, and we have not found a new rate rise in them beyond the extension described below. You can read the source papers on GOV.UK.
The paper’s wording is short: the higher rate of Air Passenger Duty will extend to “all aircraft of 5.7 tonnes or more that are used as a private or business jet”. The measure has effect for passengers carried on or after 1 April 2027, and it will be legislated in Finance Bill 2026-27.
Which private jets will pay the higher rate?
Today, only the largest private jets pay it. GOV.UK says the higher rate applies to flights aboard aircraft of 20 tonnes and above with fewer than 19 seats. From April 2027 the weight line drops to 5.7 tonnes, which brings far more of the private jet fleet into the higher rate.
The draft does not define a business jet by seat count. It looks at how the flight is operated: a flight counts if the passenger negotiated the departure or arrival time or place, or if it is not a scheduled public flight. That is how every private charter works. See the range on our heavy jet fleet page, and our air taxi and helicopter hire pages for the other types we arrange.
How much is the higher rate?
| Where the journey ends | Higher rate 2026-27 (GOV.UK) | Draft rate for business jets from 1 April 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| UK and Band A | £142 | £146.63 |
| Band B | £1,097 | £1,132.76 |
| Band C and beyond | £1,141 | £1,178.20 |
The 2026-27 figures come from the GOV.UK rates table. The April 2027 figures come from the draft legislation, so treat them as draft until the Finance Bill is passed.
What could it cost for my group?
The duty is charged per passenger. Using the draft rates, four passengers would pay:
- UK or Band A destination: 4 × £146.63 = £586.52
- Band B destination: 4 × £1,132.76 = £4,531.04
- Band C or beyond: 4 × £1,178.20 = £4,712.80
These figures show the higher-rate duty only, not the whole price of the flight. For the aircraft, crew, fuel and fees on top, see what private jet charter costs. We cannot tell you your exact figure without your route, aircraft and passenger count.
Are children exempt on a private jet?
Not on a business jet. The policy paper says the child exemption in section 31 of the Finance Act 1994 will not apply where a child’s journey includes a business jet flight. A family group will therefore pay for every passenger on board.
What should I do if I plan to fly after 1 April 2027?
- Check the date. The change applies to passengers carried on or after 1 April 2027. A flight before then falls under the current rules.
- Tell us your group size and destination early. The duty scales with passengers and with distance, so those two facts matter most.
- Ask us about the aircraft. The weight line is 5.7 tonnes. If you are unsure whether the aircraft you like is above it, our team can check it for you.
- Watch for the final law. We will update this page when Finance Bill 2026-27 is published, in particular on turboprops and helicopters.
Frequently asked questions
When does the new private jet Air Passenger Duty start?
The draft legislation applies to passengers carried on or after 1 April 2027. Flights before that date are not affected by the change. The measure is due to go through Parliament in Finance Bill 2026-27, so the final wording could still change.
Which private jets pay the higher rate from April 2027?
The policy paper says the higher rate will apply to all aircraft of 5.7 tonnes or more used as a private or business jet. Today it applies only to aircraft of 20 tonnes or more with fewer than 19 seats. Many mid-size and light jets will move into the higher rate.
How much is the higher rate of Air Passenger Duty?
For 2026-27 the higher rate is £142 for UK and Band A flights, £1,097 for Band B and £1,141 for Band C. The draft legislation for business jets from April 2027 shows £146.63, £1,132.76 and £1,178.20 per passenger, depending on where the journey ends.
Does the higher rate apply per passenger or per aircraft?
Air Passenger Duty is charged per passenger, not per aircraft. A flight with four passengers pays four times the rate, so the cost grows with the size of your group, and long-haul flights are affected far more than short European hops.
Will children still be exempt from the duty on a private jet?
Not on business jets. The policy paper says section 31 of the Finance Act 1994 will be amended so the child exemption does not apply to a journey that includes a business jet flight. Check how it applies to your group when you ask for a quote.
Does the change apply to helicopters and turboprops?
The policy paper refers to aircraft of 5.7 tonnes or more used as a private or business jet. How the final law treats turboprops and helicopters will become clearer when the Finance Bill text is published, and we will update our advice then.
Talk to Charter-A about your flight
Our operations team is on duty 24 hours a day. Call +44 (0)1737 823 733, read our charter FAQs, or send us your trip on the contact page. If you are looking at cheaper ways to fly, see our empty leg flights. To start a quote for a private jet charter now, we will confirm how the duty applies to your route.
