The Air Travel Tax is an Irish tax flights departing from airports in Ireland. It was introduced in the 2009 Budget. Until 28 February 2011, there are 2 rates of tax, €10 for each passenger flying to an airport more than 300 km from Dublin Airport, and €2 per passenger flying to any other airport within 300 km.[1] As the differential rate was considered by the EU to be an interference with the internal market, there will be a flat rate of €3 from 1 March 2011. The tax was opposed by airlines and the tourism industry.[2] Transit passengers are excluded.
Initially the €10 tax was going to cover all flights over 300 km, but this would have disadvantaged non-Dublin airports. Smaller airports are also excepted[3], as are planes with fewer than 20 passenger seats.