Airport Operators Association Media Release
For immediate release - 24th October 2010
Industry leaders to debate the future of aviation
Aviation industry leaders will come together on Tuesday to discuss the future of aviation at the AOA Annual Conference and Exhibition.
Jim French CBE, Chairman and Chief Executive of Flybe said:
"As the number one domestic airline, Flybe works with more UK airports than any other operator and as such understands how important flying is to the regions.
I look forward to the AOA conference as a vital opportunity to reinforce the message that, going forward, aviation will play a crucial part of the economic recovery."
Addressing the AOA Annual Conference on Monday 25th October, Ed Anderson, AOA Chairman will dismiss comments by the Secretary of State for Transport that aviation is lightly taxed and urge the Government to rethink increases to APD.
Anderson will say ‘aviation is not lightly taxed. Independent consultants Oxera concluded that including APD, aviation’s tax to GDP ratio is higher than other sectors.
He added, ‘The Government should wind down APD in favour of EU ETS after 2012 allowing the industry to play its part in bringing growth to the economy and help achieve the Government’s tourism target.’
The government’s projections show the £2bn currently collected in departure tax is set to almost double to £3.8bn, over the next five years. This is at odds with the Prime Minister’s speech about the UK becoming a Top 5 tourist destination.
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Note to Editors:
- The Airport Operators Association (AOA) is the trade association that represents the interests of British airports.
- The AOA Annual Conference and Exhibition is taking place on 25th and 26th October 2010 at the Hilton Metropole, London.
- In the Pre-Budget Report (November 2008) it was announced that APD would be restructured from two bands to four, and that the level of the Duty would rise in November 2009 and November 2010. The new government has stuck to these plans.
- APD Rates 2008-10 (Economy)
Band A 0-2000 miles Band B 2-4000 miles Band C 4-6000 miles Band D 6000 miles Pre Nov 09 - £10.00 Pre Nov 09 -£40.00 Pre Nov 09 -£40.00 Pre Nov 09 -£40.00 Nov 09 - £11.00 Nov 09 - £45.00 Nov 09 - £50.00 Nov 09 - £55.00 Nov 10 - £12.00 Nov 10 - £60.00 Nov 10 - £75.00 Nov 10 - £85.00 20% increase since October 2009 50% increase since October 2009 88% increase since October 2009 113% increase since October 2009 - For more information please contact Luke Law on 07827 931480.