European aviation taxes may disrupt summer holiday travel

Travellers planning summer holidays in Europe may face disruptions due to rising aviation taxes. Some flights have already been cancelled as airlines adjust to these changes. Travel insurance experts are urging holidaymakers to prepare. Ian Wilson, Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk, advises that people should be flexible with their travel plans. They may need to consider different routes or destinations if their original choices become too expensive or unavailable. Wilson stresses the importance of buying travel insurance as soon as a holiday is booked. This can protect against unexpected issues that may arise before departure. He points out that most insurance policies cover cancellation, but travellers may need to add extra coverage for additional costs related to flight cancellations, like car rentals or accommodations. Several popular tourist destinations, including Spain, Italy, and France, are affected by these tax increases. The airlines pay these taxes, but they often raise ticket prices to cover the costs. Budget airlines are modifying their routes to maintain lower fares. The taxes aim to reduce unnecessary air travel and contribute to the environmental costs of flying. For example, in Denmark, aviation taxes will increase significantly by 2030, affecting travellers' budgets.