Travel industry members of the Fair Tax on Flying coalition have resolved to continue their campaign to persuade the government to reduce and reform Air Passenger Duty (APD).
A meeting of campaign group members at Abta headquarters in London on Friday unanimously decided to fight on. The coalition includes more than 30 companies and industry organisations.
The Treasury confirmed at the end of November that APD rates will rise by more than 8% next April. It announced last week that there would be no change to the current four-band APD regime or double rate on premium economy fares.
Abta head of public affairs Luke Pollard told Travel Weekly following last week’s Treasury announcement: “This issue has not been put to bed. It remains live for the industry, for passengers and for destinations.
“For the government to ignore such a comprehensive and persuasive case is very disappointing, but it has not made any of the arguments less valid. It will galvanise the industry to do more.”
Coalition members include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Tui Travel UK, Thomas Cook, Monarch, BMI, Jet2.com, airline representative groups BAR UK and BATA, Abta, tourist office association Antor, the Airport Operators Association (AOA), Heathrow and Stansted operator BAA, Gatwick Airport and Manchester Airport Group.