Germany, UK airline taxes

Starting Jan. 1, 2011, Germany will levy a new Air Passenger Duty (ADP) on flights departing from German airports. Based on the distance to be traveled, the ADP will be €13 (near $17.50) for flights under 2,500 kilometers (about 1,553 miles) and €26 for longer trips.

On Nov. 1, the UK will increase its already high ADP to £12 ($19) for flights under 2,000 miles; £60, 2,000-3,999 miles; £75, 4,000-5,999 miles, and £85, 6,000 miles or more. All of these taxes are double for a passenger flying premium or premium-economy class.

(The Netherlands abandoned its ADP in 2009 when analysts determined that the tax had raised €312 million but cost an estimated €1 billion in lost tourism-related revenues.)