Cost of flights

Neville Calleja (Airport Taxes And Low-Cost Airlines, September 3) complained about having to pay a high tax and surcharge on a flight to Stansted, which eventually cost him more than Lm58.

Last year, a mere 40-minute return flight from the Isle of Man to Manchester cost £57 + GB tax £5, UB tax £7.20 and XT tax of £14.30, totalling £83.50. Nowadays the taxes in the UK are even higher.

However, having holidayed in Malta since 1979 I had nearly always travelled Air Malta from England but now that Flypass privileges have been reduced, I travel British Airways. This saves me up to £100 on Isle of Man/UK/Malta/UK/Isle of Man flights, with luggage and boarding cards checked right through, free papers and drinks on board, good luggage allowance, better timings and I can also mix and match airports.