Autumn Statement – Changes to Air Passenger Duty

December 3rd, 2014

Reacting to news in the Autumn Statement that Air Passenger Duty (APD) is to be abolished for children under 12 from May 2015 and for under 16s from 2016, Nathan Stower, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association, said:

“Abolishing APD for children flying economy is an early stocking filler for families who save hard for holidays and visits to friends and relatives that will also boost UK tourism. However, introducing the first change for children under 12 in May presents significant practical difficulties. The industry has always said that changes to APD should have at least a 12 month lead in time due to advance bookings.

“It also makes no sense for the UK to still have the highest tax on flying in the world. With devolution of APD proposed for Scotland, each party should use their manifesto to set out how they would put this seriously flawed and counterproductive tax out of its misery in the next Parliament.”

ENDS

3rd December 2014