BATA response to Airports Commission final report

Responding to the publication of the final report by the Airports Commission, Nathan Stower, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association (BATA), said:

“Today’s final report is the result of nearly three years of hard work and detailed independent analysis by Sir Howard Davies and his team. We will study the recommendations and evidence in favour of Heathrow expansion in detail. We urge everyone to do the same with an open mind.”

Jane Middleton is new BATA Chairman

The trade body for UK airlines, the British Air Transport Association (BATA), has appointed a new Chairman. Jane Middleton will take up her role on 1st July, when Dr Barry Humphreys, the Chairman for the last six years, stands down.

Scrap flight tax and watch economy take-off, suggests new analysis

New independent analysis of the economic impact of Air Passenger Duty (APD) shows its abolition could boost economic growth, create up to 61,000 jobs, and pay for itself through higher revenues from other taxes. UK airlines have welcomed the findings which suggest that the tax currently suppresses demand for flights by 10%. They have long argued that APD is a tax on trade, productivity and investment, as well as the family holiday.

Airlines call on Chancellor to ‘finish the job’ and abolish Air Passenger Duty to boost growth, trade and tourism

BATA has called on Chancellor George Osborne to use next month’s summer Budget to abolish Air Passenger Duty (APD) to boost growth, trade, and productivity, and encourage inbound tourism. Nathan Stower, Chief Executive of BATA, said: “The new Conservative Government wants to increase trade with the emerging economies, tackle low productivity and create two million jobs over the next five years. The experience of other countries and economic modelling for the UK suggests that the abolition of APD would make a significant contribution to those aims. The Chancellor should use the Budget to announce plans for the abolition of APD – the highest tax on flying in the world – during the course of this Parliament.”

UK’s ‘sky high’ tax on flying bottom of world league table

136 countries are more competitive than the UK when it comes to air ticket taxes and airport charges according to the World Economic Forum’s biennial Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report published today. Nathan Stower, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association, commented:

“We knew UK Air Passenger Duty is sky high compared with our competitors in Europe. We know now that it is one of the least competitive taxes in the world. The next government should end this damaging tax on trade, tourism and families and abolish APD in the new Parliament.”

New statistics show £158m increase in tax paid by air passengers

New statistics published today by HM Revenue and Customs show that passengers paid £3.17 billion in Air Passenger Duty (APD) in the financial year 2014-15 – an increase of £158m or 5.2% compared with 2013-14. The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that the tax take will increase by a further £500 million during the next Parliament, despite the duty being abolished for children under 12 from this Friday (and for under 16s from March 2016) and a recent simplification of the duty’s banding system. By 2019/20, APD is forecast to raise £3.7bn a year – more than beer and cider duties (£3.6bn) and the TV licence fee (£3.3bn), and the same amount as the Bank Levy.

British Air Transport Association responds to Liberal Democrat manifesto

Responding to the publication of the Liberal Democrat manifesto, Nathan Stower, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association (BATA) said:

“I welcome the Liberal Democrats’ recognition of the value of tourism and heritage to the UK economy and their commitment to make sure the British tourism industry is able to compete with other major world destinations. Unfortunately, their opposition to any expansion at Heathrow or Gatwick (as well as Stansted or a new Thames Estuary airport) will make that task harder over time, and is at odds with their promise to carefully consider the conclusions of the Davies Review.”

British Air Transport Association responds to the Conservative Party manifesto

BATA has responded to the publication of the Conservative Party manifesto, welcoming the commitment to support for tourism and their commitment to simplify and speed up visa issuance, while also expressing disappointment that the manifesto failed to set a new course on Air Passenger Duty.

British Air Transport Association responds to Labour Party manifesto

BATA has responded to the publication of the Labour party manifesto, welcoming Labour’s commitment to make a swift decision on expanding airport capacity in London and the South East while also warning that adding the proposal to add another charge on visitors to the UK – to fund extra Border Force staff – will make the UK more uncompetitive in attracting international tourists, business travellers and inbound investment.