UK airlines are responding to the carbon challenge and can deliver growth in aviation through reduced levels of ADT

May 17th, 2017

 

With the Scottish Parliament Finance and Constitution Committee today considering the Air Departure Tax Bill at Stage 2, Airlines UK, the industry association that represents UK-registered carriers, repeats its support for a reduction in ADT and highlights the commitment of UK airlines to sustainability and emissions reduction.

Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said: “It is clear that existing rates of UK APD place Scotland at a competitive disadvantage compared to the rest of Europe and act as a barrier to trade, investment and tourism. Reducing the new Air Departure Tax by 50% would make Scotland a more attractive place for airlines to add capacity, delivering new routes and more services. This would have substantial economic advantages, with a 2015 York Aviation report concluding that such a reduction would create nearly 4,000 jobs and add £1 billion to the Scottish economy.

“However, airlines are clear that growth must go hand in hand with actions to cut global CO2 emissions and UK carriers take their environmental responsibilities very seriously. The industry is on target to meet its ambitious goal of reducing global CO2 emissions from all journeys, by half of their 2005 levels, by 2050 – with UK airlines having already reduced emissions by 20 million tonnes since 2005.

“This reduction has been achieved predominately through the introduction of over 470 cleaner, quieter aircraft into service over the last decade, with orders placed for another 400. These new planes offer at least a 13% improvement in fuel efficiency. Government data shows that in 2015, jet fuel deliveries to UK airports, for UK and non-UK airline operations, were 10% lower than in 2006, despite 20 million more air passengers being carried. Essentially therefore, from 2006 to 2014, growth in UK aviation was delivered without any increase in C02 emissions.”