Campaigners in the UK have called for the tax exemption on jet fuel to be scrapped in the upcoming autumn budget, arguing that £2bn could be raised for public services if jet fuel was taxed in the same way as car fuel.
WeWingAnyCar.com, one of the groups supporting the campaign, visited Westminster today to deliver the message to Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
A number of campaigners, including two sitting MPs, posed at the Houses of Parliament alongside a car fitted with wings, in a mock demonstration of how ordinary motorists can “avoid fuel tax, just like billionaires do”.
The campaign is backed by Jet Collectors, a pilot-led coalition that includes the aviation and climate organisations Possible, Flight Free UK, GALBA, and Serious People.
It is also supported by new polling from Survation, commissioned by Possible, which shows that 67% of the British public agree that taxes on private jets should be increased to help fund public services.
This rises to 70% among respondents who voted Labour and 71% among respondents who voted for Reform in the 2024 general election.
“The UK is now the private jet capital of Europe, with one departing every six minutes from a UK airport,” the group said in a statement.
“A private jet flight from Farnborough to a luxury destination like Nice-Côte d'Azur can spew out the same amount of CO2 as a family car driving round the entire equator.
“Private jet travel is up to 30 times more polluting than standard commercial flights – yet contributes nothing to the tax bucket for fuel.”
Chris Hinchliff, independent MP for North East Hertfordshire, one of the politicians backing the campaign, said that private jets are among the most polluting forms of transport, yet they remain “scandalously” undertaxed.
“This proposal is a sensible and necessary step," he said. "It would generate much-needed revenue for our public services while ensuring that the ultra-wealthy start paying their fair share.”
John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington and former shadow chancellor, is also backing the campaign.