Air fares will rise and some routes will be cancelled if Britain’s airports are hit with a £1bn increase in business rates, the chancellor is to be warned. Sky News has seen a draft letter from the trade association AirportsUK to Rachel Reeves which warns of a “catastrophic” impact from April 2026 if the rise in the property tax goes ahead. AirportsUK represents more than 50 airports, including the five biggest: Heathrow , Gatwick, Stansted and Luton in the London area, as well as Manchester .
The letter says: “Airports are already some of the largest ratepayers in the country.” Airports tend to have a large footprint and considerable business activity. Analysing the most recent financial results from Heathrow, Britain’s busiest airport is likely to pay £116m in the current year in business rates – less than it spends on utilities, and representing about £1.
40 per passenger. The Independent estimates the total payable by the airport sector to be £350m-450m. AirportsUK says the revaluations will result in the industry being forced to pay more than £1bn – with some airports having to pay 12 times as much as currently.
The government said in the Budget that it would cut business rates for High Street retail, hospitality and leisure properties from 2026-27 – with the shortfall made up “through a higher multiplier for the most valuable properties” Sky News says AirportsUK will tell Ms Reeves the rate rise “is equivalent to doubling the corporation tax .