Rishi Sunak is facing questions over why domestic private jets are to buck a hike in air passenger duty, but commercial passengers will be hit.
Details buried in a policy paper show the Government is planning to hike the tax on all domestic flights later this year - except for the higher rate that covers private jets.
Helicopters will also remain entirely exempt from the tax.
The Prime Minister’s penchant for flying around the country on relatively short journeys that can be made by road and rail has been criticised.
Mr Sunak has faced questions for flying by helicopter to Southampton - just over an hour away by train - last year, and for using a chopper to get from London to Essex.