Flybe ‘disappointed’ at Scottish Tories’ APD stance
Flybe has said it is disappointed the Scottish Conservatives have called to abolish Air Passenger Duty on long-haul flights, but not short-haul.
The party, which previously opposed proposals to cut APD in Scotland by 50% before abolishing it entirely, has now said it wants to see APD removed on flights over 2,000 miles when responsibility for the tax is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, in 2018.
The party says its change of policy has come in the wake of the Brexit vote and feels scrapping APD for long-haul flights would boost Scotland’s economy.
The Scottish Tories also support an immediate freeze on flights to the UK and Europe, but Flybe says more needs to be done for short-haul travel.
The airline issued a statement saying: "We are disappointed the Scottish Conservatives have decided to focus only on long-haul APD and ignored the damaging impact the disproportionate level of short-haul APD is having on UK regional travel.
"Short-haul APD is a punitive tax, which on a per mile basis is many multiples of the long-haul rate.
"As a departure tax a domestic return customer is hit twice, compounding the iniquity of the situation. Furthermore, as the majority of flights are short-haul, this proposal will not deliver any benefit to most travellers.
"While we welcome the fact that APD in its current form is being increasingly recognised as economically damaging, we call on the Scottish Conservatives and the Scottish Government to consider the needs of local economies and reform short haul APD, alongside long-haul APD.
"Doing this in tandem would provide a really meaningful and tangible boost to Scotland’s economy."
Representatives elsewhere in the industry welcomed the move.
UKinbound chief executive officer Deirdre Wells said: "We now urge the Scottish Government to swiftly see through their proposal, in a move that will undoubtedly stimulate visitor numbers, spend, and strengthen links to Scotland."
Virgin Atlantic CEO Craig Kreeger said: "The proposal by the Scottish Conservatives to abolish the tax on long-haul flying would provide a huge boost for Scottish economy just in time for Brexit.
"Business travellers and holidaymakers would see the cost of travel fall and Scotland would be an even more attractive destination for overseas visitors.
"We hope all parties in Scotland will get behind this considered proposal to make this change happen."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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