Air Passenger Duty condemned by 100 countries

Date added: 14 November, 2009

14.11.2009   (Telegraph)

and ….**The Telegraph has its own campaign to get rid of APD** …   see more
below …..

Tourism ministers from more than 100 countries have strongly criticised the increase
in Air Passenger Duty (APD) imposed by the Government this month.

By Charles Starmer-Smith

The condemnation of the travel tax, which was raised on November 1 and is due
to rise again in a year’s time, came at a summit organised by the UN World Tourism
Organisation (WTO) in London.

Taleb Rifai, secretary-general of the WTO, called on the Government to rethink
the tax. “APD is not an environmental measure, it is an anti-development measure,”
he said. “The British Government says it is committed to promoting development
in poorer countries, yet it has introduced a tax that is a terrible blow to their
development.

“APD will not only hurt poorer countries but also hurt Britain’s own tour operators,”
he said. “The Dutch introduced a similar tax but quickly retracted it. Thailand
has dropped 50% of its airport fees and Egypt is considering similar measures.”

Mr Rifai said measures such as APD could lead to unemployment and social unrest
in developing countries.

A petition for APD to be abolished, launched by Telegraph Travel two weeks ago (see the coupon, left), has already been signed by nearly 10,000
readers.

Last week, Julian Brazier, the shadow transport minister, said the new bandings
in aviation tax, which make it more expensive to fly to the Caribbean than to
Hawaii, would be scrapped by the Conservatives if they formed the next government.

The banding system (based on the distance from London to the destination’s capital
city) came into force this month, in line with the rise in APD.

The Conservatives support a tax per plane, rather than the existing one, which
is based on passengers.

Paul Clark, the transport minister, said the Government had no plans to re-examine
APD, but all methods of taxation were under review.

link to article

Related Telegraph  Articles on their stop APD campaign:

But despite APD, which is still a small charge, the aviation industry continues
to receive massive government subsite,by not paying fuel tax and VAT.   However,
the industry continues to complain.

See also

£10 billion a year tax bonus for airlines revealed on eve on increase in APD

On the eve of the increase in Air Passenger Duty, fiercely contested by the aviation
industry, AirportWatch  has released data which shows that aviation continues to
receive significant tax-breaks. Treasury figures show the notional benefit that
aviation receives by paying no fuel tax and no VAT is up to £10 billion a year.
By contrast APD in 2009-10 is expected to raise £1.8 billion.     31.10.2009   More …..

**   The Telegraph is asking people to email them, so support their campaign – and
they will then send the names and addresses to the government.

Sign our petition to scrap Air Passenger Duty 

30.10.2009

Air Passenger Duty (APD) is being increased on November 1 and will further penalise British holidaymakers.
Misleadingly, it is being portrayed by the Government as an environment tax, and
yet it is targeted at ordinary travellers taking well-earned holidays, while those
using private jets are being taxed.

Telegraph Travel believes that APD is:

• Bad for travellers
• Bad for tourism
• Bad for business
• Does nothing to help the environment

If you agree, and would like to support the Telegraph campaign for APD to be
abolished, send an email to apdcampaign@telegraph.co.uk. You will need to include your name and address (with postcode).

Posted: Saturday, November 14th, 2009. Filed in General News.