A rise in Air Passenger Duty could lead to a dramatic increase in route cancellations, according to private aviation company Jet Republic.
The hike in duty is likely to lead to a drop in the number of people flying, which will mean more routes become loss-making and be cancelled.
It will also put more financial pressure on the UK’s smaller airports, said the company.
Research from Jet Republic has revealed that 311 weekly direct flights – representing 51,872 seats – have been cancelled over the last 12 months due to airlines pulling routes.
Jet Republic chief executive Jonathan Breeze said: “APD is killing the airline business. It is counterproductive to hammer the industry any more, especially as it is already struggling in this economic climate.”
Agents should feed clients travelling long haul through Schiphol airport in Amsterdam to help them avoid paying the charge, he added.
The government is set to introduce a new four band APD system from November this year.