Ryanair UK Air Passenger Tax Info

[Jim Mason]

UK Air Passenger Tax Doubled for All UK Departing flights from 1 Feb 2007
Onwards

In his budget speech on 6th December 2006, the UK Chancellor, Mr Gordon
Brown MP, announced his decision to DOUBLE his ridiculous and anti-consumer
"Air Passenger Duty". This tax grab which will generate £1bn. in tax
revenues for the UK Government, but will do nothing for the environment.

UK Air Passenger Duty Rates - applicable per person for each departing
flight from a UK airport which was booked before the 7th December 2006 for
travel from the 1st February 2007 onwards.

£10 (GBP) per person for each UK domestic flight (£20 on a return UK
domestic flight)
£10 (GBP) per person for flights from the UK to an EU/EEA airport
£40 (GBP) per person for flights from the UK to an airport outside the
EU/EEA - e.g. Morocco

We greatly regret that Ryanair has no alternative, but to act as the UK
Chancellor's tax collector and in accordance with Article 4.2.2 of
Ryanair's General Conditions of Carriage, all affected passengers will be
advised via email of the additional tax amount that will be automatically
charged to the credit card or debit card used to pay for their original
booking. These credit/debit card transactions will take place over the next
2 weeks .

Please Note - If your flight booking was made on or after the 7th December
2006 then the increased Air Passenger Duty tax has already been collected
by Ryanair and you have nothing further to pay.

Ryanair condemns the UK Chancellor's unfair and regressive tax on ordinary
passengers. Because of the flat nature of this tax, Ryanair's passengers -
who enjoy the lowest average air fares in the UK - are paying the highest
rate of tax (35%) while many of "Greedy Gordon's" friends and fellow
politicians are still flying business class where this tax represents less
than 5% of their air fare. This is just another example of politicians
using the environment to grab further taxes from the travelling public.

We urge you to:

Please write to Chancellor Gordon Brown at ***@hm-treasury.gsi.gov.uk
indicating your opposition to this tax grab which will generate £1bn. in
tax revenues for the UK Government, but will not do nothing for the
environment. Tell "Greedy Gordon" to keep his hands off your low fares, and
stop stealing from ordinary passengers.

[John Dundas]

"Jim Mason" <***@spamtrappedukonline.co.uk> wrote in message news:***@news.individual.net...
UK Air Passenger Tax Doubled for All UK Departing flights from 1 Feb
2007
Onwards

We greatly regret that Ryanair has no alternative, but to act as the
UK
Chancellor's tax collector and in accordance with Article 4.2.2 of
Ryanair's General Conditions of Carriage, all affected passengers will
be
advised via email of the additional tax amount that will be
automatically
charged to the credit card or debit card used to pay for their
original
booking. These credit/debit card transactions will take place over the
next
2 weeks .



Hi
Well there are still going to be issues with trying to take the money
from folks accounts. I wonder how many folk will have made bookings
but:

1. The credit card they used is out of date and a new one issued.
2. They have a new switch card.
3. They have changed banks
4. They have changed credit cards
5. They no longer have a credit card.
6. They have changed email address

Lot of things that can/will happen, but I hope its only a few. It
would be nice not to see it happening at all.

regards

[Jim Mason]

Post by John Dundas
Hi
Well there are still going to be issues with trying to take the money
from folks accounts. I wonder how many folk will have made bookings
1. The credit card they used is out of date and a new one issued.
2. They have a new switch card.
3. They have changed banks
4. They have changed credit cards
5. They no longer have a credit card.
6. They have changed email address
Lot of things that can/will happen, but I hope its only a few. It
would be nice not to see it happening at all.

Yes all valid issues - but at least it is a start - there is STILL nothing
on easyJet's web page re how they are handling this.

Jim

[John Dundas]

Post by Jim Mason
Yes all valid issues - but at least it is a start - there is STILL nothing
on easyJet's web page re how they are handling this.
Jim
--
Remove `spamtrapped` to reply off-list

Hi
This is from www.ba.com

Following the UK Government announcement in December that the UK air
passenger duty would double after 01 February 2007,

British Airways will not be asking customers with tickets paid for and
issued prior to 12 December 2006 to pay this additional duty.

Tickets booked after 12 December 2006 will already include this
increase in duty.



So its official from them.



regards

[Jim Mason]

Post by John Dundas

Post by Jim Mason
Yes all valid issues - but at least it is a start - there is STILL nothing
on easyJet's web page re how they are handling this.
Jim
--
Remove `spamtrapped` to reply off-list

Hi
This is from www.ba.com
Following the UK Government announcement in December that the UK air
passenger duty would double after 01 February 2007,
British Airways will not be asking customers with tickets paid for and
issued prior to 12 December 2006 to pay this additional duty.
Tickets booked after 12 December 2006 will already include this
increase in duty.
So its official from them.

I know that John - and I know how easyJet are supposed to be handling it -
my point is that easyJet have nothing on their website telling customers.

Jim

[John Dundas]

<j.m.dundas

Post by John Dundas
So its official from them.

I know that John - and I know how easyJet are supposed to be
handling it -
my point is that easyJet have nothing on their website telling
customers.
Jim
--

Neither do a lot of other airlines Jim.

[Jim Mason]

Post by John Dundas

<j.m.dundas

Post by John Dundas
So its official from them.

I know that John - and I know how easyJet are supposed to be
handling it -
my point is that easyJet have nothing on their website telling customers.
Jim
--

Neither do a lot of other airlines Jim.

I wasn't referring to any other airlines John. The country's two biggest
lo-co companies have announced they are passing the charge onto customers.
One has told them how it will be done through their website in a clear and
concise manner - they other has chosen to ignore the issue on their
website. Just ask Callum how bad patter that is.

Jim

[Jim Mason]

Post by Jim Mason

Post by John Dundas

<j.m.dundas

Post by John Dundas
So its official from them.

I know that John - and I know how easyJet are supposed to be handling it -
my point is that easyJet have nothing on their website telling customers.
Jim
--

Neither do a lot of other airlines Jim.

I wasn't referring to any other airlines John. The country's two biggest
lo-co companies have announced they are passing the charge onto customers.
One has told them how it will be done through their website in a clear and
concise manner - they other has chosen to ignore the issue on their
website. Just ask Callum how bad patter that is.

I finally discovered this buried in the easyJet Q & A section

Question
I received an email from you about extra APD payments. Is it genuine?

Answer
The email you received was indeed sent by us, from one of our mail
servers (easyJetmail.com). The request for additional APD (Air Passenger
Duty) payments is a genuine one. We are collecting payment on behalf of the
Chancellor, Gordon Brown, who has increased this tax on all flights
departing from UK airports from 1 February 2007 onwards.

easyJet was one of many airlines which lobbied the Government hard not to
increase the tax on flying. Contrary to what the Chancellor said, we do not
believe that increasing APD is an effective environmental tax and is simply
a means for the Government to raise additional revenue.

If you have a question regarding the increase in APD, please phone our
national rate number at 10p per minute (calls from mobiles or other
networks may vary) 08712 44 23 66.

[Jim Mason]

Post by Jim Mason

Post by Jim Mason

Post by John Dundas

Post by Jim Mason

Post by John Dundas
So its official from them.

I know that John - and I know how easyJet are supposed to be handling it -
my point is that easyJet have nothing on their website telling customers.
Jim
--

Neither do a lot of other airlines Jim.

I wasn't referring to any other airlines John. The country's two biggest
lo-co companies have announced they are passing the charge onto customers.
One has told them how it will be done through their website in a clear and
concise manner - they other has chosen to ignore the issue on their
website. Just ask Callum how bad patter that is.

I finally discovered this buried in the easyJet Q & A section
Question
I received an email from you about extra APD payments. Is it genuine?
Answer
The email you received was indeed sent by us, from one of our mail
servers (easyJetmail.com). The request for additional APD (Air Passenger
Duty) payments is a genuine one. We are collecting payment on behalf of the
Chancellor, Gordon Brown, who has increased this tax on all flights
departing from UK airports from 1 February 2007 onwards.
easyJet was one of many airlines which lobbied the Government hard not to
increase the tax on flying. Contrary to what the Chancellor said, we do not
believe that increasing APD is an effective environmental tax and is simply
a means for the Government to raise additional revenue.
If you have a question regarding the increase in APD, please phone our
national rate number at 10p per minute (calls from mobiles or other
networks may vary) 08712 44 23 66.

Yeah, I found that yesterday, but when you ring the above number you don't
get any option to speak to anyone about it, just a load of automated
nonsense, none of which deals with the APD situation. They also make it
quite clear that the hotel/car hire numbers are expressly for this purpose
only and they won't deal with any other inquiries, so pressing any number
and hoping to speak to someone about the tax situation is completely
pointless. A really poor show from easyJet.

Ryanair differs not a jot in this aspect.

Jim

[Jim Mason]

On Mon, 15 Jan 2007 18:18:23 GMT, "Callum Johnstone"

A really poor show from easyJet.

Have they replied to your email Callum?

Nope, nothing.

If he had actually read your posts he would have saw that!

Jim

[Callum Johnstone]

Post by Jim Mason

On Mon, 15 Jan 2007 18:18:23 GMT, "Callum Johnstone"

A really poor show from easyJet.

Have they replied to your email Callum?

Nope, nothing.

If he had actually read your posts he would have saw that!

Still nothing this evening either!

[Jim Mason]

Post by Callum Johnstone

Post by Jim Mason

On Mon, 15 Jan 2007 18:18:23 GMT, "Callum Johnstone"

A really poor show from easyJet.

Have they replied to your email Callum?

Nope, nothing.

If he had actually read your posts he would have saw that!

Still nothing this evening either!

Check your original email detailing your itineray Callum. I looked at a
previously taken easyJet flight from EDI to AMS and all the taxes were
detailed on it.

Jim

[Callum Johnstone]

Post by Jim Mason

Post by Callum Johnstone

Post by Jim Mason

On Mon, 15 Jan 2007 18:18:23 GMT, "Callum Johnstone"

A really poor show from easyJet.

Have they replied to your email Callum?

Nope, nothing.

If he had actually read your posts he would have saw that!

Still nothing this evening either!

Check your original email detailing your itineray Callum. I looked at a
previously taken easyJet flight from EDI to AMS and all the taxes were
detailed on it.

Yes, I have, and there's definitely no breakdown, just a grand total.
Perhaps they've changed the layout recently.

[Jim Mason]

Post by Callum Johnstone

Post by Jim Mason

Post by Callum Johnstone

Post by Jim Mason

On Mon, 15 Jan 2007 18:18:23 GMT, "Callum Johnstone"

A really poor show from easyJet.

Have they replied to your email Callum?

Nope, nothing.

If he had actually read your posts he would have saw that!

Still nothing this evening either!

Check your original email detailing your itineray Callum. I looked at a
previously taken easyJet flight from EDI to AMS and all the taxes were
detailed on it.

Yes, I have, and there's definitely no breakdown, just a grand total.
Perhaps they've changed the layout recently.

Must have done. My flight was November.

Jim

[Jim Mason]

Post by Jim Mason

Post by John Dundas

Post by Jim Mason

Post by John Dundas
So its official from them.

I know that John - and I know how easyJet are supposed to be handling it -
my point is that easyJet have nothing on their website telling customers.
Jim
--

Neither do a lot of other airlines Jim.

I wasn't referring to any other airlines John. The country's two biggest
lo-co companies have announced they are passing the charge onto customers.
One has told them how it will be done through their website in a clear and
concise manner - they other has chosen to ignore the issue on their
website. Just ask Callum how bad patter that is.

Yes, most of the major players are providing info. There is nothing but a
wall of silence from EZY, made all the more confusing since Toby Nicol was
making threats on Sky News about travel being denied to those pax who hadn't
made extra payments by their self-imposed deadline of today (15th Jan).

O'Leary was making similar threats from Ryanair but thankfully has seen
sense today and gaining a major jump on easyJet.

Do you want a direct contact email address in the easyJet press office that
might escalate your complaints?

Jim

[Callum Johnstone]

Post by Jim Mason

Post by Jim Mason

Post by John Dundas

Post by Jim Mason

Post by John Dundas
So its official from them.

I know that John - and I know how easyJet are supposed to be handling it -
my point is that easyJet have nothing on their website telling customers.
Jim
--

Neither do a lot of other airlines Jim.

I wasn't referring to any other airlines John. The country's two biggest
lo-co companies have announced they are passing the charge onto customers.
One has told them how it will be done through their website in a clear and
concise manner - they other has chosen to ignore the issue on their
website. Just ask Callum how bad patter that is.

Yes, most of the major players are providing info. There is nothing but a
wall of silence from EZY, made all the more confusing since Toby Nicol was
making threats on Sky News about travel being denied to those pax who hadn't
made extra payments by their self-imposed deadline of today (15th Jan).

O'Leary was making similar threats from Ryanair but thankfully has seen
sense today and gaining a major jump on easyJet.
Do you want a direct contact email address in the easyJet press office that
might escalate your complaints?

Would they respond to a passenger query or simply forward it on to 'customer
services', I wonder?
I'm slightly reassured that as I booked my ticket on 28/12 that the tax may
in fact have been incorporated into the ticket price when I booked, but it
would still be nice to have some sort of clarification from easyJet
themselves.

[Jim Mason]

Post by Callum Johnstone
Would they respond to a passenger query or simply forward it on to 'customer
services', I wonder?

I think they would forward it but I can stick my neb in and ask for it to
be escalated - if not you are going to the EN etc!

Post by Callum Johnstone
I'm slightly reassured that as I booked my ticket on 28/12 that the tax may
in fact have been incorporated into the ticket price when I booked, but it
would still be nice to have some sort of clarification from easyJet
themselves.

It should be easily checked Callum - your intineray should detail what you
have paid - have you checked it?

Jim

[Callum Johnstone]

Post by Jim Mason

Post by Callum Johnstone
Would they respond to a passenger query or simply forward it on to 'customer
services', I wonder?

I think they would forward it but I can stick my neb in and ask for it to
be escalated - if not you are going to the EN etc!

It's a tempting thought, and normally I'd be the first to approve of that
sort of direct action, but I think I'll spare the good burghers of Edin my
ugly mug shot on the pages of their evening rag! Besides, I'm leaning
towards the view that I'm just making a tit of myself with all the dramatics
when in fact I've almost certainly paid the excess already!

Post by Jim Mason

Post by Callum Johnstone
I'm slightly reassured that as I booked my ticket on 28/12 that the tax may
in fact have been incorporated into the ticket price when I booked, but it
would still be nice to have some sort of clarification from easyJet
themselves.

It should be easily checked Callum - your intineray should detail what you
have paid - have you checked it?

Actually it just gives the full total. I know when you book online you see
the breakdown of fare versus taxes (and EZY are usually pretty good at
putting on cheeky taglines to the various charges they have to levy, like
"Luton Fat Cat Charge" and the like) but alas the itinerary doesn't show the
same breakdown.

[Jim Mason]

Post by Callum Johnstone

Post by Jim Mason

Post by Callum Johnstone
Would they respond to a passenger query or simply forward it on to 'customer
services', I wonder?

I think they would forward it but I can stick my neb in and ask for it to
be escalated - if not you are going to the EN etc!

It's a tempting thought, and normally I'd be the first to approve of that
sort of direct action, but I think I'll spare the good burghers of Edin my
ugly mug shot on the pages of their evening rag! Besides, I'm leaning
towards the view that I'm just making a tit of myself with all the dramatics
when in fact I've almost certainly paid the excess already!

I suspect you may well be correct! Wise decision ;-) Talking as someone who
has to apologise for looking like a tit in these forums on an all too
regular basis - the thought of doing the same in an east coast rag doesn't
appeal!

Jim

[Jim Mason]

The lack of info from EZY is indeed quite appalling. Just checked my e-mail
and they've apparently decided not to bother responding to my query, nor are
they providing passengers with any clarification on their website. Ryanair
at least are keeping their pax up to speed. There are no automated messages
re: the APD on easyJet's phone line either.

I was equally worried - I am booked via Ryanair to Girona in April. My
fears were somewhat allayed today when I saw the announcement from Ryanair
(especially when the press were announcing the emails had already been
sent).

I know this is Gordon Brown's tax and he is partly to blame, but surely
airlines have a duty to keep their customers informed about any changes made
to the terms and conditions of their 'contract'.

Indeed. If they elect to pass on the charge (which is understandable when
they do) - they must keep customers informed.

Jim