Press Release: Airport Operators Association Response to Air Passenger Duty Reduction in Northern Ireland

For immediate release: 27 September 2011

Responding to the Chancellor’s announcement to reduce Air Passenger Duty (APD) for direct long-haul flights from Northern Ireland, Darren Caplan Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association (AOA) said:

“The Chancellor is recognising something UK airports have been saying for a long time. In these tough economic times, high levels of Air Passenger Duty are pricing people out of flying, whether business people, holidaymakers and travellers visiting friends and family. It is also a disincentive for anyone wishing to come to the UK, whether business passengers or inbound tourists.

“The Airport Operators Association supports the Fair Tax on Flying coalition’s campaign, urging the Government to reduce the current shockingly high levels of APD in every part of the UK, to ensure UK airports can play their essential role in the economic recovery. These reductions should take place at the earliest possible opportunity.”

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For further information, please contact:

Luke Law on 07827 931480 or lukelaw@aoa.org.uk .

Notes to Editors:

About the Airport Operators Association

Who we are:
The Airport Operators Association (AOA) is the trade association that represents UK airports.

We are part of ‘A Fair Tax on Flying’ campaign calling on the Government to reduce Air Passenger Duty. ( www.facebook.com/afairtaxonflying )

What we do:
Our mission is to see UK airports grow sustainably. We represent the views of UK airports to Government, Parliament and Regulators to secure policy outcomes that help deliver our mission.

Who we represent:
The AOA represents 72 UK airports and general aviation airfields in the UK. For more information, please visit www.aoa.org.uk .