(1) The “tax” on your ticket isn’t all tax. Airlines usually classify their insurance premiums and security costs under “tax” even though they are simply another cost of doing business. It is misleading in the extreme. If you look at the small print, they do usually admit to it. The BA small print is:

“The price of your ticket includes a security and insurance surcharge. It is shown in the fare details above. It is levied by British Airways and is not a tax, fee or charge imposed by a Government Authority or third party.”

So you can’t entirely blame the government.

(2) Airlines get tax breaks by the bucket load. Their fuel isn’t taxed I don’t think – or if it is, at a rate far less than car fuel. Air travel is not subject to VAT so there is another 17.5% you could have been charged. Rival services, like phone calls, video calls etc.. are all subject to VAT.

(3) Some “tax” is not a tax but is charged by the airports themselves.

(4) Admittedly the Air Passenger Duty is a government tax. I think it is £5 or £10 for economy pax and more for biz. Also higher for travel to a destination outside the EU.