Originally Posted by
blues-on
It's an Island with a land border to another Island without APD.
That is a nonsensical statement. I can confirm that crossing the border to the south requires no swimming or boating. Last time I looked at a map Northern Ireland made up about 1/4 of a small island in the North Atlantic.
Reduction of APD may stimulate the demand for flights north of the border - but only slightly. The welfare and budget reforms which are coming down the tracks may have the opposite effect. NI needs to be weaned off state money. The only alternative is for the politicians to focus on making it a more competitive place to do business - attracting inward investment from overseas and fostering local businesses which have aspirations to reach a wider market. Lower APD may help but only in the wider context of economic reform which will deliver a more vibrant economy on our 1/4 of a little island in the North Atlantic.