As of Feb. 1, 2007, international air passenger duties (or taxes) departing from the United Kingdom has doubled from GBP5 to GBP10. This "green" increase in air passenger duty (APD) is intended to better reflect the environmental cost of air travel. These higher rates will apply to all commercial air passengers departing the U.K. According to the Independent, it means 10 pounds instead of 5 pounds for economy passengers taking European short-haul flights, and for long haul flights, it will increase from 20 pounds to 40 pounds.