BATA welcomes Scottish Government’s commitment on Air Passenger Duty

Responding to the publication of the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2015-16, British Air Transport Association Chief Executive, Nathan Stower, said:

“The Scottish Government’s commitment to reduce the burden of APD by 50% from 2018, with a view to abolishing completely in due course, is good news for Scottish businesses, families and visitors. Halving the UK’s current rates would bring Scotland broadly in line with Germany’s aviation tax.”

Number of people flying to visit friends and relatives at all-time high

New analysis by the British Air Transport Association of official travel statistics has revealed that more people are taking to the skies to visit friends and relatives (known as ‘VFR’ travel) than ever before.

easyJet CEO Carolyn McCall to deliver the inaugural British Air Transport Association annual lecture

The British Air Transport Association (BATA) is pleased to announce a new annual lecture, which in its inaugural year will be delivered by Carolyn McCall OBE, Chief Executive Officer of easyJet. The event in October will offer BATA members and senior industry stakeholders the opportunity to hear from and question one of the aviation world’s […]

Summer Budget and APD – BATA Response

Responding to today’s Summer Budget, Nathan Stower, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association (BATA), said: “By failing to properly address the damaging impact of APD in the Budget, the Government has missed a big opportunity to boost trade, tourism and competitiveness. This is disappointing when detailed independent economic analysis suggests that its abolition could increase economic growth, create up to 61,000 jobs, and pay for itself through higher revenues from other taxes.”

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.”