UK airlines respond to Scottish Conservatives long-haul Air Passenger Duty pledge

December 9th, 2016

Responding to the announcement from the Scottish Conservatives that they will support the removal of long-haul Air Passenger Duty from April 2018, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, the trade association representing UK airlines, said:

“This is an important moment in the ongoing debate around APD, as it is clear that there is now cross-party support for reductions in the tax to take place in Scotland from April 2018.

“Airlines have long said that taking action on APD in Scotland will make a big difference to businesses and families – and we are pleased that the Scottish Conservatives have joined the SNP Government in acknowledging its damaging impact and paved the way for total abolition in the future.

“The two parties should use this announcement as a starting point for discussions – ahead of the Budget – so that reductions in the tax can take place in full, in 2018. Our view remains that action on long-haul APD must go hand-in-hand with action on domestic and European travel – so that all passengers can take advantage, irrespective of destination.”