A host of UK airlines are threating to stop passengers from flying if they do not pay a new air tax, including those who booked their tickets before the hike was announced.
Airline staff are being forced to act as unofficial tax collectors and could prevent people from boarding and entering the country if they refuse to what has been dubbed the ‘poll tax of the skies’.
In addition around 10 million passengers will have to pay the tax even though their holidays were booked before the announcement was made.
Chancellor Gordon Brown announced last month that air passenger duty for short haul flights would double to £10 and long haul flights would increase by to £40 from, February 1st.
Travel bosses are predicting hectic scenes at all major airports across the country when the new levy becomes active next month.
Despite the deadline only a few weeks away, many airlines, such as Virgin Atlantic and BMI, are yet to decide how to collect the tax, leaving many travellers confused.
Ryanair's outspoken chief executive Michael O'Leary has warned that the general public will have to cover the cost or lose out on their flight altogether.
Passengers will be emailed by Ryanair, who have a reservation to fly after February 1st, informing them of further payment needed.
There are fears that passengers could end up being led off to cash points by airline staff upon arrival in the UK .
British Airways is the only airline so far to absorb the extra costs, although competitors have accused BA of keeping its fuel duties artificially high to pay for the estimated £11 million tax bill .
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