Air tickets to the UK may become more expensive in 2026: what is happening and what passengers can expect

Travel to the UK may become more expensive due to new airport taxes. Find out why air tickets to and from the UK may rise sharply in price in 2026 and which airports will be most affected

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Travel to the UK could become significantly more expensive as early as 2026. Air passengers are being warned of a possible sharp rise in airfares due to an increase in commercial property tax for airports. According to forecasts, the biggest blow will not be felt by London hubs, but by regional airports across the country.

This was reported by The Guardian, citing an analysis of government data prepared for PA Media.

Why air tickets to Britain may become more expensive

In 2026, regional airports in the UK will face an unprecedented increase in commercial property tax. The reason is a large-scale review of the estimated value of properties, on the basis of which this tax is calculated.

According to an analysis conducted by global tax firm Ryan based on data from the Property Valuation Agency, in some cases, the value of airport properties increased more than sixfold during the last revaluation. This automatically led to a sharp increase in tax liabilities for airport operators.

As a result, most British airports may face more than a twofold increase in tax payments over the next three years.

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Which airports will be most affected

The most significant tax increases are predicted for regional airports. These include Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Newcastle, Liverpool, East Midlands, and Bournemouth.

London airports will also see an increase, but it will be less dramatic, as the capital's hubs already pay high property taxes.

According to experts, the total increase in the tax burden for regional airports could reach 295% across the entire sector — a figure that is considered unprecedented in the industry.

How taxes will affect airfare prices

Experts emphasize that the sharp increase in tax costs will not remain an internal problem for airports. It will trigger a chain reaction that will ultimately affect passengers.

Alex Probin, head of real estate tax practice in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region at Ryan, explains that such costs will inevitably be reflected in airport charges, airline costs, and the final cost of airline tickets.

According to him, regional airports simply will not be able to “digest” such a sharp financial shock without passing on part of the costs to carriers and passengers.

Investments at risk: the position of airport operators

Airport operators also warn that tax increases could negatively affect not only ticket prices but also infrastructure development.

In particular, a representative of Manchester Airports Group said that airports are already among the largest taxpayers in the country. At the same time, an increase in tax payments of more than 100% will force a review of investment plans.

This refers to the possible reduction or postponement of investment programs worth more than £2 billion, which were planned for the next five years for airports across the UK. According to the operator, under such conditions, the rise in airfares becomes almost inevitable.

Tip: it is convenient to compare flight options, combine flights with trains or buses, and track price changes through the Visit Ukraine booking system. It allows you to view available tickets for all types of transport in one place and choose the best route based on your budget and travel dates.

We remind you! Air travel requires careful preparation of your luggage. Read about what items are not allowed in your carry-on baggage, why they are confiscated during security checks, and how to avoid problems before departure.

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