Regional airports set for property tax bills rise

AIR passengers are being warned to brace for ticket hikes as regional airports across the UK face “unprecedented” rises in property tax next year.

- HOLLY WILLIAMS

Analysis of official Government data for the Press Association has revealed regional airports are among those facing the steepest increases in business rates of any sector in the UK amid an overhaul of property valuations underpinning the tax.

While London's Heathrow and Gatwick are also being hit with eye-watering increases in their business rates bills, the figures show that the most extreme cases are focused outside of London, with regional airports including Bristol and Bournemouth set to suffer.

Global tax firm Ryan’s calculation of Valuation Office Agency (VOA) data found that the rateable values have jumped more than sixfold in some cases in the latest property revaluation, sending tax bills soaring higher.

Even with so-called transitional relief, which limits increases to 30% next year, regional airports will still endure some of the largest cash increases in the country.

And most airports will see their bills more than double over the next three years.