breach of single market law. The Government decided to counter the impact of the new tax by reducing APD on low-cost flights (Travel Weekly November 15).
But the F-Air Passenger Duty for All campaigners, which includes ABTA and British Airways, say reducing the tax on selected fares would be an administrative nightmare and would prefer a general reduction in APD. Currently a £10 tax is charged on domestic and inter-EUflights and £20 is charged on trips outside the European Union.
ABTA chief executive Ian Reynolds said: “Cutting certain air fares is going to cause a lot of confusion, so we want to explore the alternatives.”
But the British Tourist Authority said the reduction in APD would not solve the problem for remote areas in the UK such as the islands off Scotland which would be most affected by the extra tax.
BTA head of public relations Jo Leslie said:”It would make it an easier cross to bear but it would certainly disadvantage the remote areas.”
Travel industry representatives are due to meet with chancellor Gordon Brown later this month to discuss the ways of getting round the tax before he announces the budget in March.
THE F-AIR Passenger Duty for All campaigners have called for a general reduction in Air Passenger Duty to combat the introduction of a £10 tax on the return leg of UKdomestic flights.
The move follows the European Commission’s decision to force the UKto impose a tax on the return leg of journeys because the current system is in breach of single market law. The Government decided to counter the impact of the new tax by reducing APD on low-cost flights (Travel Weekly November 15).
But the F-Air Passenger Duty for All campaigners, which includes ABTA and British Airways, say reducing the tax on selected fares would be an administrative nightmare and would prefer a general reduction in APD. Currently a £10 tax is charged on domestic and inter-EUflights and £20 is charged on trips outside the European Union.
ABTA chief executive Ian Reynolds said: “Cutting certain air fares is going to cause a lot of confusion, so we want to explore the alternatives.”
But the British Tourist Authority said the reduction in APD would not solve the problem for remote areas in the UK such as the islands off Scotland which would be most affected by the extra tax.
BTA head of public relations Jo Leslie said:”It would make it an easier cross to bear but it would certainly disadvantage the remote areas.”
Travel industry representatives are due to meet with chancellor Gordon Brown later this month to discuss the ways of getting round the tax before he announces the budget in March.