Conservatives urged to scrap APD on flights

Virgin Atlantic has urged the Conservative party to abolish any plans to increase Airport Passenger Duty (APD) if they win at the next general election.

According to Virgin, if the plans go ahead, the aviation industry could be harmed by passengers opting to fly via other countries to avoid paying the tax.

Under government proposals, APD is due to rise by 113 per cent across two phases by November of 2010, with the first to be introduced at on November 1st of this year.

Steve Ridgway, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, said that increasing APD could prevent some holidaymakers from being able to afford a break.

"We are therefore calling on the Conservatives to see sense on this issue and commit to scrapping the planned increase for 2010 if they are successful at the next election.

He added: "Everyone knows the airline industry, along with the wider UK business community, will be severely damaged by these unjust future increases in APD."

Tickets bought for Virgin Atlantic flights from July have featured messages urging passengers to protest against the rise.

Posted by Penny, 30 October 2009 17:52

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