Chancellor George Osborne’s decision to proceed with a further increase in Air Passenger Duty has been labelled “unsurprising and self destructive” by the Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK), which represents over 80 airlines.
Chief executive Dale Keller, responding to the Autumn Statement, said “The pre-budget levels of APD could not be justified and the latest increase takes us dangerously beyond the tipping point where the impact can only be negative to the economy. The announcement comes as unsurprising from a government that is not listening to the wider industry, or international opinion, and is self destructive to its own objectives of attracting foreign investment and tourism.
“BAR UK is calling on the government to urgently conduct a review into the economic impact of APD, which we are certain would confirm that a radical review is required to achieve a fair, proportionate and internationally competitive tax before the UK loses more ground to competitors.”