05 November 2009

Ã¢â¬ËœAbsurdÃ¢â¬â¢ APD bandings would go under Tories

A Conservative government would abolish "absurd" new bandings in aviation tax that makes it more expensive to fly to the US west coast than the Caribbean.

Tory shadow transport minister Julian Brazier made the pledge as TUI Travel chief Peter Long made an impassioned call for regulatory change at the House of Commons.

Responding to a call for a thorough review of Air Passenger Duty, the MP - whose party supports a per plane tax rather then one based on passengers - said that whatever tax is employed if the Tories gain power, the "absurd capital cities rule" of APD banding would be abolished.

He spoke after current transport minister Paul Clark insisted that the Government had no plans to revisit APD, although he conceded that all methods of taxation were kept under review "as part of the Treasury budgetry process".

He said: "We have listened to voices from within the industry on all sides of the issue and have taken on board the comments made."

Long, speaking at a Parliamentary reception in front of key politicians and industry leaders, called for changes in APD, reform of the ATOL passenger protection regime and an overhaul of the 1992 European package travel directive (see separate story).

by Phil Davies

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Remember, politicians promise anything ...

until they get elected. So note that Tory shadow transport minister Julian Brazier made the pledge a Conservative government would abolish "absurd" new bandings in aviation tax. Anyone taking bets?

By J Hewson, Friday, November 6, 2009