Tourists will be ‘double taxed’ under Labour plans, says Ryanair boss
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary warned that proposed regional visitor levies will create a double tax for tourists who already pay air passenger duty.
- Core Development: Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary warned that proposed regional visitor levies will create a double tax for tourists who already pay air passenger duty.
- Beat Context: Categorized under Politics with independent corroboration.
- Reporting Depth: 3 minute analytical read synthesized from verified newsroom sources.
Holidaymakers visiting England face the prospect of facing a "double tax" under government proposals to empower regional leaders with new visitor levies, according to airline leadership.
The Government previously announced proposals to grant regional leaders across large parts of England the power to introduce levies on overnight stays to help raise funds for their areas. While it is understood the levy would feature no upper limit, Government sources indicated that mayors were unlikely to make the charges overly burdensome, with most projections suggesting rates of a few percent.
Media additions
Speaking at a press conference in London on Wednesday (Yahoo News UK), Ryanair's chief executive Michael O'Leary stated that the airline did not possess any great fundamental philosophical difference with regional taxation on hotel nights, but argued that imposing it alongside existing aviation charges created an unfair burden. The Independent reported that Mr O'Leary warned the airline would consider switching some operations to zero-tax, lower-cost destinations elsewhere in Europe if the plans went ahead.
"We call on (the Prime Minister) Mr Burnham if he's really serious about delivering growth in every postcode – the only way to do that is to boost aviation and tourism, which can be turned on or turned off instantaneously and can deliver growth in every region, in every airport, in every region."
Michael O'Leary, Chief Executive, Ryanair, via Yahoo News UK
Mr O'Leary further emphasized the friction caused by overlapping fees (Yahoo News UK):
"We don't have any great fundamental philosophical difference with his regional tax, where you allow the regional mayors to add a tax on hotel nights, but that is a double tax on tourism. Abolish APD. You can't tax tourists on the way into the UK and then double tax them for the hotel night."
Michael O'Leary, Chief Executive, Ryanair, via Yahoo News UK
Industry stakeholders have raised significant financial concerns regarding the policy direction. Hospitality chiefs previously warned that the uncapped proposals for the new tax could cost the UK hospitality and tourism industry up to £1.6 billion. Meanwhile, air passenger duty (APD) rates—which are calculated based on the length of the flight and the class of cabin—increased in April (Yahoo News UK).
| Flight Type | Current Economy APD Rate |
|---|---|
| Domestic flight | £8 |
| Short-haul flight (up to 2,000 miles) | £15 |
Airlines have long called for APD, which is imposed on flights departing from most UK airports, to be reduced or cut entirely, claiming such a move would stimulate demand for travel (Yahoo News UK).
Defending the policy, a Government spokesperson emphasized the decentralisation rationale (Yahoo News UK):
"Mayors and local leaders have been given this new power as part of a historic devolution drive that shifts power out of Westminster and into local hands. Every other G7 country already has some form of visitor levy, and all funds raised will be invested in the local economy, from high streets to public transport and events that boost tourism and drive good growth – benefitting visitors, businesses and local people."
Government Spokesperson, via Yahoo News UK
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Key questions answered in this reportWhat is the key development in: Tourists will be ‘double taxed’ under Labour plans, says Ryanair boss?
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary warned that proposed regional visitor levies will create a double tax for tourists who already pay air passenger duty.
Why is this Politics development significant for the UK?
This report covers critical events in our Politics beat. Independent reporting monitors related UK statements, regulatory shifts, and public responses as further verified details emerge.
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When was this report published?
This briefing was published on September 24, 2026 and is permanently cataloged in the Newsarchy UK Politics archives.
