Airlines respond to the changes to Air Passenger Duty

October 27th, 2021

Commenting on the changes to Air Passenger Duty announced today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, the industry body representing UK-registered carriers, said:

“Reducing the rate of domestic APD will correct an anomaly that has existed for too long and greatly enhance connectivity to and between all the regions of the UK, supporting route viability and enabling businesses and sectors across the economy to access markets, attract inward investment and support our tourism industry.  

 

“For many people and companies wanting to do business in the UK or see family and friends – particularly across Scotland and Northern Ireland – travelling by air remains the only viable option. This will make a tangible difference to their lives, providing more choice and frequency for consumers, and bringing all parts of the country closer together.

 

“But we’re still the most taxed airline sector in the world and as we recover from the pandemic, we’re being burdened with a new, uncompetitive ultra-long-haul APD hike. While APD was initially introduced as a “green levy”, not a penny has ever been used for environmental purposes and increases will only hinder UK aviation’s ability to invest in decarbonisation.

 

“This will also impact the UK´s economic recovery, consumers and jobs. Given the acute pressure on business, the hike in international APD will make it even harder for UK companies to trade in some key overseas markets. This is ultimately a tax on Global Britain.”