The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) has slammed the government for its insistence that Air Passenger Duty (APD) is an environmental tax.
AITO claims that the APD increases, which come into force on November 1, highlight the lack of transparency in the government’s environmental policy. AITO claims APD is misleading travellers into thinking it’s an eco-tax.
AITO said November 1 will be a black day for travellers, as costs are expected to rise significantly, especially on long-haul travel.
AITO chairman Derek Moore also accused the government of misleading the public after financial services secretary to the Treasury, Lord Myners, admitted earlier this month that the increase was destined to raise money for the government.
Myners told the House of Lords: “The purpose of the APD is primarily fiscal, but gives a strong nudge towards environmental considerations and will, we believe, lead to a reduction of some 0.6 million tonnes of carbon per annum.
AITO chairman Derek Moore said: “Using the environment as a pretence for raising revenue for the Treasury and targeting travellers is a very short-sighted policy.
“Many AITO travellers are eco-conscious and happy to play their part through carbon offsetting and contributions to related projects. However, they take issue at having to hand over additional funds in the form of a stealth tax when even Government ministers admit they cannot guarantee that the money raised will go towards environmental schemes.
“At least when the Conservative government introduced APD in the early 1990s, it admitted that it was a tax-collecting proposal.”