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Some airline passengers may get an unwelcome surprise today when they are asked to pay an additional tax before boarding their flights.

Double air passenger duty (APD) taxes came into force for flights leaving from UK airports this morning, with the government leaving it up to the airlines to collect the tax from passengers who had booked their tickets before the new tax was announced.

The new APD rates will see passengers having to pay £10 for economy flights within the UK and Europe and £40 for long-haul flights. Business and first-class passengers will pay even more, with the APD rates at £20 for domestic and European flights, and £80 for long-haul flights.

An increase in the tax was announced last December, with the charges being passed as an environmental tax on the aviation industry.

Some airlines, such as British Airways, have absorbed the cost of the additional taxes for passengers who had pre-booked, but many other airlines, especially low-cost flyers, are passing on the additional cost to customers.

Low-cost airline easyJet told media: "During the past few weeks easyJet has been contacting its passengers to advise them of the additional tax that needs to be paid and whilst the majority of easyJet passengers have contacted the airline in advance to pay this charge, a small number of passengers will also be paying at the airport prior to travel."

BMI has also taken a similar approach, alerting customers that they will need to pay the new tax before they can fly. Many airlines are warning customers that they will not be allowed to board their flights until the additional tax has been paid.