The stricken travel industry is calling on the government to freeze Air Passenger Duty (APD).
APD is currently set to be increased on long-haul flights from April 1, 2021 despite increased calls for it to be abolished to help aviation sector recover.
ABTA, Airlines UK (which represents British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and other carriers), and the Airport Operators Association (AOA) have called repeatedly for a temporary suspension of APD to stimulate an air travel recovery.
A spokeswoman for British Airways’ parent company IAG said: “Given the acute pressure on business, the hike in APD will make it even harder for UK firms to trade overseas. This is a tax on business.
“Last year, IAG paid around one billion euros in APD to the Treasury. This costs UK jobs and growth.”
The UK Treasury announced that APD for long-haul economy tickets would be increased from £78 to £80, while long-haul premium would rise from £172 to £176.
APD for short-haul flights in economy will stay the same.
