The government has been accused of favouring private jet travellers over commercial airline passengers by delaying the introduction of Air Passenger Duty on business aircraft until 2013.
The introduction of the tax for business jet users – previously exempt from APD – has been moved from next year to April 2013, it emerged last night.
The British Air Transport Association, which represents 10 airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Ryanair, described the delay as “unfair”.
Chief executive Simon Buck told The Guardian: “It is a year’s grace for the wealthy man in the business jet, but for millions of people who cannot afford to fly by business jet, they will have to pay APD increases at twice the rate of inflation from April next year. How is that fair?”
Latest Treasury forecasts show that the state’s APD revenue will rise from £2.2 billion in 2010 to £2.6 billion this year, rising annually until it hits £3.8 billion in 2016/2017.