Advantage boss speaks out on new APD charge
It remains unclear if government plans to change Air Passenger Duty from a per passenger to a per flight charge will be fair for travellers.
In its pre-Budget report, the Treasury said from November 1 2009 it will charge APD per aircraft, instead of per passenger (see previous TravelMole stories).
John McEwan, chief executive of agency consortium Advantage, said: “On first impression I’d be interested to know how the airlines will charge the tax they propose?
“Will they equally divide it amongst all passengers on the aircraft – in which case lower load factors will become more expensive for the passenger – or will they reward more modern aircraft with lesser tax that older models?”
He added: “Until we have more details – which will no doubt include not only the government but the Civil Aviation Authority and the airlines – we will not know if this is a fair system for the customer.
“However, originally, Air Passenger Duty was seen as an income generator for the government and these new charges seem more focused on rewarding airlines and companies who are increasing their attentions to becoming ‘greener’.
“For our business travellers, we do not believe they will necessarily be hugely affected by this, as they will be passing their cost onto consumers as part of the cost of sale.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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 
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025