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Abta pledges to continue fighting APD as cut looms

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Abta pledged to continue to fight for further cuts in Air Passenger Duty ahead of the tax being reduced for children under 16 from March 1.

A family of four with two children under 16 will save £26 on economy flights to Europe and £142 on flights to long-haul destinations such as the US, Thailand and Australia.

This follows the abolition of APD on flights for children under 12 last May.

Bookings to Florida are up 13% over two years, while bookings to the Caribbean are up 29% for this summer, “perhaps partly boosted by the abolition of APD,” the association revealed

But children travelling in any class other than economy remain chargeable passengers, and APD will be due.

Most airlines and travel companies have refunded or will refund APD on flights for under-16s that were booked and paid for before the reductions come into effect.

Holidaymakers should contact their travel company or airline to find out more, Abta said.

Both cuts were announced in the 2014 Autumn Statement following a ‘Scrap the Tax on Family Flights’ initiative initiated by the A Fair Tax on Flying lobby group, of which Abta is a member.

Abta chief executive, Mark Tanzer, said: “The abolition of APD on flights for children and teens under 16 is undoubtedly good news for holidaymakers.

“However, whilst families will see welcome savings, APD in the UK remains one of the highest taxes of its kind anywhere in the world.

“Abta, along with other member of the Fair Tax on Flying, continues to call for a reduction in APD to at least half the current levels to ensure the whole country benefits from a fairer tax on flying.”

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