News & Analysis

APD 'unfair' say voters

(06 August 2009)

The industry raised the pressure on ministers over plans to increase Air Passenger Duty (APD) as a poll suggested 70% of voters in marginal seats see the tax as unfair.

ABTA called on consumers to petition the government and write to MPs, and World Travel and Tourism Council president John-Claude Baumgarten said: "The APD system should be scrapped."

APD will rise both this November and in November 2010, doubling the rates on fares to many long-haul destinations. The government insists the tax must rise for environmental reasons as well as to increase revenue.

A poll of 1,000 voters commissioned by industry group FlyingMatters found 75% agreed APD was "just another tax". However, 62% were unaware the tax existed.

Ian Taylor