The Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, representing close to 3,500 businesses, have become members of the Fair Tax on Flying lobby group against Air Passenger Duty.
The announcement today (Friday) comes 14 weeks into the group’s campaign which has seen more than 285,000 people email their local MP or the Chancellor directly calling for a review into the impact of APD on the economy.
The organisation is joining other chambers in backing the campaign including those in Greater Manchester, Birmingham, London and Scotland.
Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce director and chief executive George Cowcher said: “Many chamber members have experienced first-hand the negative impact of having such high rates of Air Passenger Duty.
“Maintaining global connectivity and international competitiveness is crucial in this modern global economy, and our businesses are suffering as investment and trade heads elsewhere.
“We need to construct a system in which our aviation industry can thrive, otherwise the UK will soon find itself surpassed by its European counterparts.”
British Air Transport Association chief executive Simon Buck said: “It is great news to see the campaign drawing more support from business groups across the country.
“It is clear that this level of taxation on flying is damaging Britain’s economic recovery, and we urge the Government to listen to what more and more of us are saying: the Treasury must undertake a full economic review.”