easyJet takeoff from Luton

Media Centre

Airlines UK acts as a collective voice for the UK airline industry in the media, issuing comments and press releases, as well as providing spokespeople and meeting interview requests.

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.

January 7th, 2015

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.

December 3rd, 2014

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.”

November 27th, 2014

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.

November 24th, 2014

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.”

November 18th, 2014

BATA responds to Airports Commission

“The Airports Commission’s final recommendation must be cost effective, offer value for money, and not rely on today’s passengers paying for infrastructure that won’t be ready until at least the mid-2020s. UK airlines will study the appraisal of each option in detail to judge whether the plan is supported by a robust business case with realistic forecasts and a credible funding mechanism. I hope our politicians will wait for the results of this consultation and the Commission’s final report so that political decisions can be taken with the fullest evidence.”

November 11th, 2014

BATA responds to Supreme Court air passenger compensation decision

“Today’s Supreme Court decision is both surprising and disappointing. UK airlines support the principle of passenger protection and always meet their legal obligations. However, the rules should be clear, affordable and proportionate for the sake of passengers and airlines. The current system fails those tests and this decision will further increase costs which ultimately are borne by all passengers.

October 31st, 2014

Air passengers taxed over £27 billion in inflation busting 20 years of APD

1 November marks 20 years since Air Passenger Duty (APD) was first levied on passengers flying from UK airports, and the A Fair Tax on Flying campaign has revealed the Government’s staggering £27.035 billion tax take over this period.

October 31st, 2014

Reduce Air Passenger Duty to boost domestic air connectivity

Commenting on the news that the Department for Transport has signed a second public service obligation to protect the Newquay-Gatwick route involving £2.5 million of central government funding, BATA Chief Executive, Nathan Stower, said: “The Government could support domestic air services by simply reducing Air Passenger Duty – the world’s highest tax on flying. At £26 for a return ticket on domestic flights, APD hits people flying within the UK for business and leisure particularly hard.”

October 28th, 2014

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