Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the level of awareness among air passengers of the entitlement of a refund of air passenger taxes to the consumer when a passenger does not travel; and if he will make a statement.

Airlines are liable for air passenger duty with respect to all passengers they carry, when departing from a UK airport. If a passenger does not fly, no tax is due. If the airline has specified the cost of the tax within its pricing, any refunds will be covered by the terms and conditions attached to the sale. Questions about refunds for air passenger duty are a commercial matter between the customer and the airline.

We expect all airlines operating in the UK to comply with consumer protection legislation and make their terms and conditions, including their refund policy, clear at point of booking so that passengers are aware of their entitlements.