Air passenger duty for children

moose22256

I've just received a reply from Norwegian regarding refund of APD for flights booked for next year,
Thank you for contacting Norwegian.

As of 5 December 2014, the Air Passenger Duty (APD) charged for flights from the UK, will no longer apply to LowFare child tickets. This new rule applies to flights departing from the UK from 1 May 2015 for bookings made after the 5 December 2014. Passengers will only be entitled to a refund if the booking is made on the 5 December or later, since this booking is made on the 9 September 2014 you are not entitled to refund of the APD.

As I understand it, the law states that I should get a refund but maybe I'm misunderstanding the situation.

If anyone can give me a definitive answer I'd appreciate your help.

jonesMUFCforever

I can see their point of view.
If the tax was increased instead of abolished would you be happy to pay more even though the contract you entered into didn't specify this?

PeacefulWaters

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/travel/2014/12/air-passenger-duty-to-be-scrapped-for-children-under-12-autumn-statement-2014

"If you've already booked a ticket, airlines are expected to refund the charge, says the Treasury."

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/382327/44695_Accessible.pdf (page 56, but no useful detail).

SW17

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

I can see their point of view.
If the tax was increased instead of abolished would you be happy to pay more even though the contract you entered into didn't specify this?

You can see their point of view? If it were increased, they would be entitled to charge you more whether you liked it or not. The airline is collecting the tax on behalf of of HMG and remitting to them. If HMG does not require the tax, the airline does not need to collect or remit. Therefore, the airline has no right to keep the APD for themselves. I take it that you would be happy not to have your APD refunded if you cancel a flight?

becominganobsessivesaver

Actually when APD was first introduced airlines did collect the extra tax. I remember having to pay cash at Heathrow to Air New Zealand.

peachyprice

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

I can see their point of view.
If the tax was increased instead of abolished would you be happy to pay more even though the contract you entered into didn't specify this?

What????

The airline won't have to pay the tax to our government so you think it's OK for them to pocket it themselves?

Do you not remember the debacle when APD was introduced when people who had flights booked had to stump up the APD before departure because the airlines had to pay the government?

moose22256

Do you really think that if any government increased the tax we would have option but to pay the increase? Come on use your noddle.
My issue is with Norwegian who seem to be pocketing the unused tax themselves.

callum9999

I'm not sure that the law specifically states that they have to (the Treasury said they "expect" them to refund - if it was law then surely they'd say they "must" refund?) but I wouldn't count on this being Norwegian policy. They'd get a huge backlash if it did.

Try again in a few days.

number_12

Basically Norwegian have collected a tax which they now will not have to pay to the Government, and they're going to keep it. Nice one Norwegian. unlike Easy Jet who are going to make refunds.

Voyager2002

number_12 wrote: »

Basically Norwegian have collected a tax which they now will not have to pay to the Government, and they're going to keep it. Nice one Norwegian. unlike Easy Jet who are going to make refunds.

Yes, but they provide a fantastic product at a very reasonable price and so cannot afford the administrative burden of refunding small change. Particularly not at the moment, when they are struggling to cope with massive increases in the price of oil.

Irony filter off...

Bindweed

I booked a trip with Edreams, this included two child places. I have asked them for a refund for the child tax and have told me that as the trip was booked before the changes were announced there will be no refund.
My question is, can this be right as they will pocket the money themselves and bearing in mind the trip isn't until July 2015 surely there must be some redress regarding this sort of issue.