An industry campaign against Air Passenger Duty is close to reaching its target, according to organisers.
More than 90,000 people out of 100,000 targeted have emailed their MP about the levels of APD.
The initiative from the A Fair Tax on Flying lobby group was launched seven weeks ago calling for a Treasury review of the tax.
The recent surge in support for the campaign is largely down to the influence of social media.
A link to the campaign website has been posted by thousands of people on Twitter, and the campaign’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/afairtaxonflying) has almost 13,000 ‘likes’.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “We are delighted that over 90,000 people have now visited www.afairtaxonflying.org to email their MP showing their concerns about the high levels of tax being paid.
“The incredible volume of support by travellers just goes to show that this is an issue of huge concern to consumers once they are made aware of the shockingly high levels of tax they pay to fly.
“Everyone in the industry has a key role to play in increasing awareness; we’ve managed 90,000 in a few weeks, we can do even better.”
British Air Transport Association chief executive Simon Buck added: “The huge and growing volume of support for the campaign demonstrates beyond any doubt that people are seriously concerned about the impact that APD is having on holidaymakers and on the economy.
“The government cannot ignore this groundswell of public opposition to the current levels of APD. But we still have some way to go to break the 100,000 barrier so I encourage everyone to keep telling their friends about the website to make sure that APD remains front-of-mind for MPs as they go away for their summer breaks.”
Airport Operators Association chief executive Darren Caplan said: ““Aviation makes a huge contribution to the UK economy, providing a million jobs, £50 billion GDP and £8 billion to the Chancellor. It also supports millions of tourism, export and other service sector jobs.
“So it is extraordinary that the Treasury has not carried out any research in to the effect APD is having on the competitiveness of UK plc, as we seek to trade our way out of recession.
“Now is surely the time to put this right, and to stop incessantly increasing this damaging stealth tax.”