Airport boss says APD rise will hit flights
17.09.11
The managing director at Aberdeen Airport backed a report by travel association ABTA that says an increase in air passenger duty (APD) will hit flights and is not supported by a majority of MPs, the Evening Express reports. Derek Provan backed a survey by ABTA that suggests the Government’s plans to increase APD by twice the rate of inflation, having differed a rise this year, will stop people flying.
ABTA took an anonymous poll of MPs and found that 3 out of 4 believe the Government's plans for a double-inflation rise in APD in 2012 will stop ordinary families from flying, a big jump from just 39% who were asked the same question last year.
Twenty cross-party MPs and peers sent a letter to the Chancellor George Osborne yesterday urging him to re-consider plans for the tax increase, which they say ‘will be a significant increase in the cost of flying abroad next year, at a time when many ordinary families are already under severe financial pressure.’
APD was frozen for a year in April but the Chancellor is expected to confirm plans for a double-inflation rise next year in his autumn statement on November 29. Airlines will also enter the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) next year, further increasing the cost of flights. ABTA is inviting people to show support for its Fair Tax on Flying Campaign by joining its Facebook page: facebook.com/afairtaxonflying
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