Bermuda Shorts, 1 November 2010
UK increases Air Passenger Duty tax
Flights from the UK to Bermuda will rise in price starting this week as the British Government increased the cost of Air Passenger Duty (APD).
The rate for economy travellers from the UK to Bermuda is scheduled to increase by £15, from £45 to £60, while the rate for any other class will go from £90 to £120, an increase of £30.
APD is paid by all travellers leaving the Britain, with the rate determined by the destination. The world is divided into four bands, with Bermuda being placed in Band B with the United States and most of Africa.
While this will increase the cost for European visitors to come to the Island, the rates for flights from Britain to the Caribbean, which is in Band C, are scheduled to increase by 50 percent, from £50 to £75, for economy travellers.
Flights to Band A countries, most of which are in Europe, will increase from £11 to £12 for economy travel, while flights to Band D countries, including Argentina and Australia, will rise from £55 to £85.
The increase is the second in recent history. Before it was restructured in 2007, the APD was a flat rate of £10 on all long haul flights.
British Airways shifts to winter schedule
The flight schedule for British Airways changes today as the airline enters its winter schedule, and as Britain sets back its clocks an hour.
While daylight savings time will not come into effect in Bermuda until next week, British Summer time ended yesterday. As a result, for one week the time difference between Bermuda and the UK will drop from four hours to three.
British Airways spokesperson Sally Singleton said: "For the next week, BA2232 departing Bermuda will leave at 9.01 p.m. and arrive in London at 6.35 a.m.
"Also, flight BA2233 will leave London at the earlier time of 2.25 p.m. and arrive in Bermuda at the later time of 7.15 p.m.
"These times revert to the usual times effective November 7."
As part of it's winter schedule, flights between Bermuda and the UK will operate five days a week, with no flights taking place on Mondays and Saturdays.
