Chancellor scraps APD for children
Today’s Autumn Statement announcement by George Osborn (above) that APD will be scrapped for children, has been welcomed as the next stage in achieving a fairer tax on flying by the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR UK).
BAR UK currently represents the interests of 74 airlines.
BAR UK chief executive, Dale Keller (right), said: “We welcome the Chancellor’s announcement which will mean a fairer deal for families.
"This is the second reform to APD announced this year and demonstrates the growing awareness within Government that the world’s highest air tax needs a severe pruning in order to boost the UK’s global competitiveness and create more jobs.
"Scrapping APD for children not only benefits UK families but also stimulates growth in inbound tourism and the efforts of the A Fair Tax on Flying campaign is to be applauded.”
James Stamp, global head of aviation at KPMG, said: “The abolition of Airline Passenger Duty for children is a welcome boost to the airline leisure market and good news for families too. However, passenger duty is still too high and makes the UK less attractive for business and tourism compared to our European neighbours.
"Furthermore, the potential reduction (or abolition) of Airline Passenger Duty in Scotland would create a bizarre incentive to draw English passengers away from their local Northern airports, and so any further reduction in Airline Passenger Duty to iron-out this anomaly would be welcome.”
