Aviation taxes to be examined
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The UK’s Chancellor, George Osbourne, has announced plans to re examine the country’s aviation taxes. While the plans introduced by the former government to increase air passenger duty are set to go ahead, there is speculation over whether the government will switch to per plane duty rather than air passenger duty. The news for change was welcomed by ABTA, the body admits it is disappointed that the November increases in Air Passenger Duty will continue. “It is now up to us to make sure we brief and have full and detailed discussions with Government Ministers and civil servants before George Osborne reports back in the autumn,” said ABTA Chief Executive Mark Tanzer.”While we broadly welcome the proposed switch from Air Passenger Duty to per plane duty, it is essential that the levels and the mechanisms are set correctly so that ordinary people are not taxed out of flying. We have already held a meeting with Justine Greening – the Treasury Minister taking the lead on aviation taxes - and we will ensure that we continue to meet with her team to fully brief them on our sector.” Meanwhile, easyJet has also welcomed the move to reform air passenger duty tax. “Four out of five British travellers would be better off under a per plane tax as private jets, cargo aircraft and travellers changing planes in Heathrow will start paying their fair share, ” said easyJet’s Chief Executive Andy Harrison. Describing the poll tax as ‘daft’ he added that aviation was at ‘the heart’ of the travel industry and a crucial part of economic recovery. “Air tax is already higher in the UK than anywhere else in Europe, and there is simply no scope to increase it further.”
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