British Airways: Govt must drop tax rises

The government should abandon its plans to increase air passenger duty (APD) this year, according to British Airways.

Airline chief executive Willie Walsh urged a reconsideration of the strategy on flight taxation during a conference in London today (April 21st) on the eve of the Budget.

According to British Airways, the government's plans for an increase of up to 112 per cent in flight taxes could increase the cost of a family holiday to Australia by as much as £360 and make a trip to the Caribbean £280 more expensive.

Mr Walsh said: "APD was doubled two years ago, making air travel from the UK the most heavily taxed in the world.

"The government's own figures show that UK airlines already meet their environmental costs, so there can be no 'green' justification for these additional taxes."

The chief executive urged the government to follow the lead of The Netherlands and consider a radical overhaul of the APD system.

British Airways is not the only organisation to have called for a reduction in flight taxes, with both Flybe and Abta - The Travel Association expressing their disapproval of the government's plans in the past.

Posted by Merv, 21 April 2009 14:29

News tags

• Flybe
• British Airways
• London