Sunny Outlook for Flight Refunds
29th June 2007

With the summer holidays upon us, Chartered Accountants Naylor Wintersgill are advising travellers, who for whatever reason miss their flights, that they may still be entitled to reclaim taxes and surcharges on otherwise non-refundable tickets.

Airlines currently pocket millions of pounds of government taxes and passenger charges through last minute cancellations or passengers arriving late for departures, as most customers are unaware that they can claim refunds for these charges against unused tickets. There is currently no obligation for airline operators to advertise that the refunds are available or to automatically repay the charges.

Vaughan Houldsworth, Tax Partner at Naylor Wintersgill comments,

‘Non-travelling passengers must ensure that they claim these refunds which, since the recent doubling of air passenger duty, can often be significant. For example, a return ticket to the US could include up to £160 in taxes, fees and charges. When you apply these charges to a family or group going on holiday this becomes a considerable amount.’

For further information contact Naylor Wintersgill on 01274 733184.