UK Passenger Service Charge This is a fee that airlines pay to the UK airports for the use of the airport's passenger facilities. It is usually represented by the tax code UB.

The UK Passenger Service Charge (PSC) is a fee levied by airport operators (like Heathrow or Gatwick) on airlines for the use of the airport's facilities. This includes the cost of maintaining terminals, security screening, baggage handling systems, and airport "common parts." In 2026, this charge is almost always included in the price of your airline ticket rather than being a separate fee paid at the airport. It is important to distinguish the PSC from the Air Passenger Duty (APD), which is a government-imposed environmental and luxury tax. The PSC varies significantly from airport to airport; for example, Heathrow's charge is typically higher than a regional airport like Manchester because of its extensive infrastructure and higher security costs. In 2026, these charges have come under scrutiny as airports look to fund "Net Zero" initiatives, leading to gradual increases in the PSC which are then passed on to the consumer as part of the "Taxes and Fees" breakdown on a flight booking confirmation.