Caribbean360: Freeze in UK Air Passenger Duty

Freeze in UK Air Passenger Duty
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Chris Hoyos on 23/03/2011 12:38:00
 
LONDON, England, Wednesday March 23, 2011 – Chancellor of the Exchequer
Chancellor George Osborne today told the House of Commons that there will be no
increase in the Air Passenger Duty (APD) until 2012.
He also indicated that a consultation would commence straightaway to examine the
efficacy of the current distance banding for assessing the duty.
“It is no doubt welcome news for the viability of the UK national
transportation system and for foreign destinations heavily dependent upon
British holidaymakers that the Air Passenger Duty will not be increased,” said
Business Travel Coalition chairman Kevin Mitchell.
“However, the current levels of duty still represent a huge problem and they
must be radically reduced to bring the UK back into competitive alignment with
other countries for meetings, incentive trips and conventions. The next order of
business is to expand the coalition of concerned parties outside the UK and
deepen communications with UK government officials.”
The news should also be welcomed by Caribbean tourism stakeholders who say the
tax is unfair.
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