The new president of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association has vowed to step up its campaign for APD to be scrapped on domestic flights.
Speaking to Travel Weekly at the SPAA’s annual awards, Kevin Thom said the association’s Keep Scotland Flying Campaign would be a priority under his leadership.
The campaign calls for the tax to be axed on domestic flights and a reduction on long haul flights. SPAA Members are currently doing research to find out passengers’ attitudes to APD and so far 35% are in favour of a reduction.
Thom, who is managing director of QA Business Travel in Aberdeen, said another concern was domestic links with Heathrow coming under threat because of lack of expansion at the airport.
BMI has already cancelled its Glasgow to Heathrow route, a move that dismayed the SPAA. “As capacity at Heathrow gets tighter, airlines will decide there’s more money to be made on long haul than domestic routes.
“We also lose the ability for new services to come in. The pressure needs to come off Heathrow to preserve regional services.”
Thom said he wanted to continue to improve communication within the SPAA and ensure all members air their views and concerns. “Some people think we are just an air organisation, but we represent all sectors of the industry,” he said.
The SPAA awards were held at the Thistle Hotel in Glasgow.
The agent award winners were Portman Travel, Glasgow; Munro’s Travel Group, Aberdeen; Co-operative Travel in Coatbridge and Classic Travel in Uddingston.