News
Airport Operators Association response to publication of ICE State of the Nation Transport report
The Airport Operators Association (AOA), the trade body for UK airports, has responded to the publication of a new report by the Institution of Civil Engineers titled “The State of the Nation Transport 2013”.
Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association, said:
“This report is an interesting contribution to the debate on transport, including aviation policy. On Air Passenger Duty (APD), we would have liked to have seen the report recommend to the Treasury that it commission an urgent review into the impact of the tax on the whole of the UK economy. The Government needs to understandthe damage this eye-wateringly high tax is having not just on airports but on the UK’s economy and connectivity with the rest of the world. We strongly urge the Treasury to reduce the tax and carry out this review.
“On the Airports Commission, our position is clear. We would like to see Sir Howard Davies and his team given the opportunity to properly consider all the options for additional airport capacity in a fair and transparent way. However, it is vital that when the Commission’s Final Report is published in 2015, the government of the day takes decisive action to act on the recommendations as soon as possible. Having set the Commission up, the political parties need to back its findings and then get on with the job of providing the much needed additional capacity this country needs, wherever that may be.”
For further information please contact Tim Alderslade on 0207 340 0992 or timalderslade@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 50+ UK airports and general aviation airfields in the UK. For more information, please visit www.aoa.org.uk.
