Abolish APD and IAG might launch cheap long-haul flights from regional airports, says Walsh
British Airways’ owner IAG has told MPs that UK holidaymakers are missing out on cheap long-haul flights because of air passenger duty.
In an open letter, chief executive Willie Walsh said IAG was looking to expand the operations of its budget airline LEVEL and abolishing APD would make it more likely it could operate from Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Manchester.
"British consumers are losing out because of APD. In Spain and France, LEVEL can offer lower fares than it can in the UK – and that goes for other long-haul low cost airlines too," said Walsh.
LEVEL launched flights from Barcelona to the US and Latin America last year and will fly from Paris to the Caribbean and North America in July. However, Walsh said it’s not financially viable to launch flights from UK regional airports when LEVEL’s fares start around £88 one-way and long-haul economy APD is £78.
"MPs need to know that APD undermines our ability to introduce new low cost flights that would benefit their constituents. If APD was axed, IAG could open new routes and operate LEVEL from regional airports," said Walsh.
He described it as ‘foolhardy’ for a trading nation reliant on developing international connections post Brexit to tax aviation so harshly, pointing out that premium economy and business class passengers pay £156, rising to £172 next year.
"By hiking APD in the last Budget, it’s clear the Chancellor doesn’t understand that Britain is losing out to countries that don’t have draconian aviation taxes," he added.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports