In response to two written Parliamentary Questions to the Treasury answered yesterday on the issue of Air Passenger Duty (APD) and premium economy seats, Simon Buck, BATA Chief Executive, said:

“The UK Government doubled the tax on flying from 1st November last year and I warned at the time that this sounded the death knell for many long haul premium economy services. Many airlines are now reviewing their fleet plans a nd the loss of this service would be very much against the consumer interest. We look to the Treasury to correct this anomaly in its review of APD in March.”ENDS