post-summit
He said: “APD levels in the UK are the highest in Europe, and rising, and it is driving airlines and passengers away -, only last week Flybe announced 300 job losses and the reduction of their fleet, citing APD as a contributory cause for this action.
A recent report – published by York Avation - warned that APD could cost Scotland more than two million passengers by 2016, at a cost to the Scottish economy of £210 million every year in lost tourism spend. Aberdeen International alone is forecast to lose some 200,000 passengers as a result of APD.
“Quite simply, APD makes airlines less likely to launch a new route from Aberdeen when they could introduce a similar route from rival European airports. This, coupled with the absence of a route development fund, makes it increasingly difficult to attract airlines to Scotland.”
"Connections to Heathrow are crucial and we will continue to vigorously pursue the UK Government to adopt a more pro-active role in maintaining and promoting these vital links. Air Passenger Duty is another area where we continue to be frustrated by the UK Government’s approach. Businesses and families face punitive levels of duty, making the overall cost of air travel prohibitive for many, and we will continue to argue for responsibility over APD to be passed to the Scottish Parliament in the same way that it has been devolved to Northern Ireland"
(from AIA's webite)
Last edited by Richard Taylor; 30th Jan 2013 at 12:02.
Reason: to add title