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UK airports response to launch of Air Passenger Duty review and discussion paper

Responding to the Government’s announcement that it will be launching a review and discussion paper to consider potential options to support airports affected by the devolution of Air Passenger Duty (APD), Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association (AOA), the trade association representing UK airports, said:

“UK airports welcome the opportunity to respond to this review. Given that all the indications are that the Scottish Government will proceed with its promise to reduce APD by 50% once the necessary powers are devolved next year, the Treasury will need to set out how airports across the whole of the country are not adversely impacted. The AOA has been consistent that a cut anywhere must be matched by a reduction everywhere, so that we can maintain a consistent rate of APD and ensure that the most competitive aviation market in the world is not undermined by distortive levels of taxation.

“Given the timescales involved, however, and the need to ensure that no region is able to hold a competitive advantage over the rest of the country, we urge the Government to take a decision on how this will be averted as soon as possible once this review has taken place.”