Tax super-rich on private jet travel to fund public transport, says UK charity

The super-rich should be forced to pay an extra tax each time they fly on private jets to raise money for public transport, according to a charity.

The Campaign for Better Transport called on the government to introduce a "super tax" on private jet travel, saying it is about time that these individuals started paying for the damage their flights cause and the proceeds used to improve public transport for communities up and down the country

According to the charity, private jets are 50 times more polluted than a train. The rate of air passenger duty should be applied to account for the damage done to the planet. Private flights should be stripped of their VAT-free status, according to the CfBT.

Norman Baker is the director of external affairs and a former Liberal Democrat.

Private jet passengers are charged the same rate of APD as business or first class passengers, but with a higher rate applied to larger aircraft with less than 19 passengers.

The super rate of APD on private jet travel should be set at 10 times the current higher rate for domestic and European trips, which would apply to all private jet passengers, regardless of the size or capacity of the aircraft. The tax could raise about the same amount of money as Network Rail's annual maintenance costs.

VAT should be charged at the time a private jet lands or takes off, regardless of size or distance traveled, which would raise a further £79m-£622m.

According to data from Wing-X, the number of private jets in operation increased by 45% in 2020. The activity of scheduled passenger airline remained below pre-pandemic levels.

According to the charity, the UK is responsible for more carbon emissions from private jets than any other European country.

In order to strengthen road and rail connections, the Treasury has doubled transport spending to over $29 billion since the beginning of the year.

Smaller private jets will not benefit from the new lower domestic duty, and they will pay more from the new ultra long-haul band on international flights, which ensures that those who fly the furthest contribute the most.