By Stephen Hayward From Mirror UK

Chancellor George Osborne under pressure to halt tax rise on flights to the US, Australia and Caribbean

A family of four flying to Florida will be charged £276 while visiting the Caribbean will cost £340 – even before they get there – under the planned tax increase

A family of four flying to Florida will be charged £276 while visiting the Caribbean will cost £340 – even before they get there – under the planned tax increase.

The £3bn a year air passenger duty – now the highest in the world – is levied on all flights out of Britain and is graded by distance.

From April, economy class flights to the US will cost £69 a head – on top of other holiday costs. Flights to the Caribbean will be £85 per person while those to Australia and New Zealand will be £94.

The cost per passenger in economy class on European flights will remain unchanged, at £13.

Critics say the tax is damaging the economy by making UK airlines and airports uncompetitive. They point out that many European countries, including Belgium, Holland and Denmark, have abandoned their aviation taxes.

The tax on UK flights has almost doubled on long-haul trips since 2009 in an attempt to cut jets’ carbon emissions.

Leaders of the Fair Tax on Flying campaign want the Chancellor to review the latest rise ahead of next month’s Budget.

The plea comes as millions jet off to escape the appalling weather during this week’s half term holiday.

Airport Operators Association boss Darren Caplan said: “This year’s rise will hit people going on holiday where it hurts. It’s a tax on ordinary families and we want the Chancellor to review it urgently.

“It’s time that the Government acknowledged that holidays, and journeys to visit friends and relatives, are not a luxury but a necessity, and reformed this duty that is pricing the least well off out of well earned trips abroad.”

PHOTO:ReutersPlea: George Osborne

George Osborne is under pressure to halt another hike in sky-high holiday taxes.

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