MPs agree air tax is damaging smaller UK airports
MPs have admitted that air passenger duty is damaging smaller UK airports, while also acknowledging that those in the north of England may be hit even harder if Scotland goes ahead with plans to reduce or abolish APD.
A report by the Transport Select Committee said growth of smaller airports was limited by the air tax, pointing out that the double-charging of APD on domestic return flights encouraged passengers to fly from hub airports in other European countries.
Launching the report, Committee chair Louise Ellman, Labour/Co-operative MP for Liverpool Riverside, said: “Transport ministers must stand up for smaller airports and make the case to the Treasury that APD squeezes jobs, growth and connectivity.”
The report also examined how regional airports might benefit from expansion in the southeast, calling on the Department for Transport to look at ring-fencing some take-off and landing slots for regional flights.
Ellman added: “The whole country should share the economic benefits of expanded airport capacity. But that will only happen if new capacity includes new domestic flights to airports outside London. The DfT needs to take a proactive approach and ensure that the regions are connected.”
Liverpool John Lennon Airport welcomed the report, saying it was pleased that the committee had listened to its concerns and those expressed by other regional airports. CEO Andrew Cornish CEO said: “I am pleased to see that The Transport Select Committee clearly understand some of the issues we face today and have taken on board the concerns we have over the continued damaging impact of APD and the lack of global connectivity via any expanded south east hub airport.
“I would urge that this and any future Government post the election, acknowledge the findings from this report and take action to address these important issues in order to help safeguard the vital role of regional airports such as Liverpool John Lennon.”
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
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent