Budget 2015 – BATA comment

“The Government has missed an opportunity to go further in setting a new course on Air Passenger Duty. Retaining the highest tax on flying in the world doesn’t make sense when you want to increase exports, expand inbound tourism and encourage UK businesses to invest and grow.

“With the Scottish Government committed to halving APD rates when powers over the tax are devolved, and further devolution to Wales and the regions under consideration, the next Government should avoid unnecessary complication and boost the UK economy as a whole by simply abolishing APD in the new Parliament.”

Ready for take off – UK airlines launch manifesto for new Parliament

BATA has published its manifesto ahead of the General Election in May.

‘Ready for take off: our priorities for the new Parliament’ sets out the vitally important economic and social contribution that UK airlines make to national life.

Five key policy areas are identified where action is required in the next Parliament to create a more level playing field from which UK airlines can compete, grow and deliver more in the years ahead.

APD: UK 4 – Germany 1

With the last Budget of this Coalition Government exactly one month away, new analysis by the British Air Transport Association proves that the UK has the highest tax on flying in Europe by a huge margin. Passengers paid over €4billion (£3.14 billion) in Air Passenger Duty (APD) in 2014, compared with just €1 billion (£745 million) raised by Germany’s equivalent Aviation Tax.

Scrap flight tax to protect all passengers from impact of devolution urge UK airlines

UK airlines are putting their differences aside to call for Air Passenger Duty (APD) to be abolished across the UK during the next Parliament. Nathan Stower, Chief Executive of BATA, will tell industry leaders and politicians gathered in London that growing public and political concern, combined with forthcoming devolution of powers over APD to Scotland, presents a new and unique opportunity to secure abolition.

Alex Salmond MSP confirmed as speaker at BATA Annual Dinner

Alex Salmond MSP, the former First Minister of Scotland, will be the guest speaker at the annual dinner of the British Air Transport Association (BATA) on 28 January.

Autumn Statement – Changes to Air Passenger Duty

BATA has responded to the news in the Autumn Statement that Air Passenger Duty (APD) is to be abolished for children under 12 from May 2015 and for under 16s from 2016.

BATA responds to Air Passenger Duty proposals for Scotland

Reacting to the Smith Commission’s recommendation that Air Passenger Duty (APD) be devolved to the Scottish Government, Nathan Stower, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association, said:

“We share the Scottish Government’s analysis that Air Passenger Duty – the world’s highest air passenger tax – acts as a barrier to trade, tourism and economic growth. APD across the UK should be phased out as quickly as possible, because the damage caused by this tax doesn’t stop at the Scottish border.”

Britain deserves a break – call to scrap tax on family flights

A campaign to scrap the tax on children’s flights launches today (24th November), as polling reveals that that the majority of the public think that it is time the Government make children under 12 exempt from Air Passenger Duty (APD)– and help support families in taking valuable holidays together.

Labour proposals for a new charge on overseas visitors

Responding to the news that a Labour Government would introduce a new charge on visitors from countries that are not required to obtain a visa to enter the UK in order to fund 1,000 additional Border Force staff, Nathan Stower, Chief Executive of BATA, said:

“While we welcome the desire to improve the customer experience for passengers arriving at the UK border, airlines have significant concerns about this proposal.”