Possible to Reclaim Airport Taxes and Duties?

MarsdenCuckoo

Hi, am seeking clarification pls. Am told that if you pay for a non-refundable flight but don't use it then you can reclaim the Airport Duty/Tax paid to the airline (but actually due/payable to the Government)? Have asked Easyjet for such a refund but they advise that they never charged any APD.... Are they correct or just fobbing me off - anyone know/done this successfully?
Have checked their website for seats on a flight next month (again we've paid for seats on the flight but may not be able to use them) and it quotes:
"Third-party airport operator charges & government taxes
per adult or child£17.00 (per person)


Is that the same APD tax or something different?
Any/all info much appreciated. Thanks!
Christine

dzug1

MarsdenCuckoo wrote: »

Hi, am seeking clarification pls. Am told that if you pay for a non-refundable flight but don't use it then you can reclaim the Airport Duty/Tax paid to the airline (but actually due/payable to the Government)? Have asked Easyjet for such a refund but they advise that they never charged any APD.... Are they correct or just fobbing me off - anyone know/done this successfully?
Have checked their website for seats on a flight next month (again we've paid for seats on the flight but may not be able to use them) and it quotes:
"Third-party airport operator charges & government taxes
per adult or child£17.00 (per person)


Is that the same APD tax or something different?
Any/all info much appreciated. Thanks!
Christine

Both - it includes both the government tax (known as Air Passenger Duty) and other airport charges. Only the APD is refundable

Easyjet's T&C say;

If after having made a reservation you do not fly with us, whether or not a refund of the Fare is payable you will be entitled to claim a refund of any APD advised to you and payable by you in accordance with Article 5.2, which as a consequence we have no obligation to pay to any Government or other authority. We reserve the right to deduct a reasonable service charge from any such refund where you fail to fly with us despite a Flight being available.

Don't know about Easyjet, but the service charge often happens to be the amount of the refund otherwise due. Their reply to you seems a bit odd - but maybe that's what they are trying to say

MarsdenCuckoo

WOW, thanks dzug1. Hmm.... Can see that how they'd get round it that way. So far though this is what they replied:

" You wish to get the APD of the flights that were not used by you. Having checked the records, I must inform you that there was no APD charged for the flight EZY8816.

I am therefore unable to refund it for the above flight."

I've queried how there could be no charge rendered at all and await to hear from them again.

Christine

MarsdenCuckoo

Further update/reply just received from Easyjet (am I barking up the wrong tree i.e. should I just forget it?):

"Thank you for contacting us.

I understand your concern about the APD refund.

As you know, if after having made a reservation you do not fly with us, you are entitled to claim a refund of any taxes, which as a consequence we have no obligation to pay to the Government or other authority. When you book a flight you are charged the fare plus airport departure tax and some other airport charges for services such as baggage handling and security. Whilst the airport departure tax is refundable, I regret that the airport charges are not.

That is the reason why there was no APD to be refunded to you in the sector which you did not use."

Thanks again for any/all input.

Christine