BA Chief: UK’s High Travel Costs Are Driving Tourists Away

British Airways CEO Sean Doyle has warned that steep aviation taxes and expensive rail fares are keeping millions of potential visitors from coming to the UK, holding back economic growth. Speaking at an international airlines summit in Rio de Janeiro, Doyle said the UK now has some of the highest aviation taxes in the world, and is losing ground to countries like Japan, France, and Germany when it comes to attracting tourists.

Air passenger duty went up by 15% in April. That means passengers now pay £8 on domestic flights, £15 for European departures, and up to £253 for premium economy seats on long-haul routes. For a family of five flying into the UK, Doyle argued, those costs add up to a “huge penalty” compared to what families pay in other European countries.

The government wants to welcome 50 million international visitors a year by 2030, up from roughly 40 million today. But Doyle said that target won’t be met unless the UK becomes more affordable. “If you look at France and Spain, they’ve absolutely shot past us,” he said. “A big part of it is cost.”

He also pointed to problems with the UK’s rail system, calling it fragmented and lacking visitor-friendly passes. That leaves tourists concentrated in London and Edinburgh, while other parts of the country miss out on the economic benefits.

On Heathrow’s proposed third runway, Doyle cautioned that the £33 billion plan could backfire if the airport’s fees rise too high. Airlines might then cut their own investments, he said, undermining the growth the project is supposed to deliver.