APD consultation document for business aviation
Just seen the consultation document, doesn't look good actually:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_airpassenger.htm
HMRC clearly would like to levy the highest rate of APD (£170/passenger today, £186 next year) on any flight of any nature on any aircraft above 5.7 tonnes leaving UK soil. Big helicopters included.
The only exemptions may be medevac-types and those old piston twins using Avgas who pay lots of duty already - not that there are any above 5.7 tonnes anyway?
We had all better get proactive on fighting this one. It will kill the light jet and turboprop market just above 5.7 tonnes take-off weight.
We've got until 17th June to cry foul, so get your pens out.