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Travel sector to ramp up APD lobbying ahead of Budget

The government will be urged to cut Air Passenger Duty as industry lobbying is stepped up ahead of next month’s Budget.

The A Fair Tax on Flying campaign will be calling for a 50% reduction in in the air tax to support families and businesses and ensure that Britain is “Brexit ready”.

APD will add £13 per passenger to the cost of a short haul trip and £75 per passenger to the cost of a long haul trip from April, with these rates doubling for premium economy and business travellers.

Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer called on members to back the campaign to cut APD and contact their local MPs “to highlight the damaging effects of this tax”.

The association is one of the key backers of the A Fair Tax on Flying lobby which has led to reforms in the banding system and the abolition of the tax on children.

“However, our work is not over. UK Air Passenger Duty remains the highest aviation tax levied on passengers in the EU, with just six other EU countries levying a similar tax, all at substantially lower rates.” Tanzer said.

“The Scottish government has recognised the uncompetitive and damaging nature of this tax and has announced plans to reduce the tax on flights leaving Scottish airports by 50%, with a view to abolishing it altogether when resources allow.

“Theresa May has laid out a vision for a ‘Global Britain’. A reduction in APD would send a strong message to the world that Britain has a global outlook and is open for business.

“Ahead of the March Budget, I would urge all members, if you are not already, to get involved in the campaign activity.”

The Budget is due to be announced by chancellor Philip Hammond on March 8.

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