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Airport Operators Association Response To Chancellor’s Autumn Statement

Responding to the confirmation in today’s Autumn Statement that Air Passenger Duty (APD) will rise from April 2013, the Airport Operators Association said that the Government is “disregarding the will of the people” and renewed industry calls for the Treasury to commission an economic impact-assessment of APD.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association, said:


“It defies belief that the Treasury continues to ignore the calls of 200,000 constituents regarding the UK’s eye-wateringly high levels of Air Passenger Duty (APD). It is also ignoring 100 MPs who signed a parliamentary petition (EDM 174), and 34 cross-party MPs who spoke at the recent House of Commons debate about the unfairness of this stealth tax.

“The Government is disregarding the will of the people by continuing to increase APD, and ignoring widespread calls by MPs, the Airport Operators Association and the A Fair Tax on Flying campaign for a simple review into what is the highest air passenger tax in the world by far.”

Responding to the Chancellor’s comments on infrastructure,

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association, said:


“The Airport Operators Association agrees wholeheartedly with George Osborne’s focus on infrastructure in today’s Autumn Statement. It seems odd then that the Chancellor continues to ignore aviation when it comes to promoting infrastructure as a key driver for economic recovery and growth, especially in light of last year’s National Infrastructure Plan which mentioned aviation 114 times!
•    “UK airports want to play a central part in boosting jobs and the wider economy. The Chancellor should acknowledge this as he seeks to develop the UK’s infrastructure in the years to come.”

For further information please contact Tim Alderslade on 0207 340 0992 or tim.alderslade@aoa.org.uk.

ENDS



Notes to Editors:

The Airport Operators Association (AOA) is the trade association that represents UK airports. Its mission is to see UK airports grow sustainably. It represents the views of UK airports to Government, Parliament and Regulators to secure policy outcomes that help deliver our mission. The AOA represents some 70 UK airports and general aviation airfields in the UK. For more information, please visit www.aoa.org.uk.