Reduce Air Passenger Duty to boost domestic air connectivity

October 28th, 2014

The British Air Transport Association (BATA) – the body representing UK airlines – has today urged the Government to reduce Air Passenger Duty to boost domestic air connectivity. Commenting on the news that the Department for Transport has signed a second public service obligation to protect the Newquay-Gatwick route involving £2.5 million of central government funding, BATA Chief Executive, Nathan Stower, said:

“A few domestic routes are not sustainable without public support and I am pleased that the Government recognises the importance of regional air connectivity. The Government could support other domestic services by simply reducing Air Passenger Duty – the world’s highest tax on flying. At £26 for a return ticket on domestic flights, APD hits people flying within the UK for business and leisure particularly hard. It’s crazy that the Newquay-Gatwick service could raise up to £2.6 million in Air Passenger Duty in its first year alone – £100k more than the £2.5 million central government support provided over four years for this public service obligation route.”

 

ENDS