The Government must publish its consultation on replacement options for Air Passenger Duty as soon as possible says ABTA.

The Chancellor, George Osborne MP, said that he would report back to Parliament in the autumn on proposals for a new per plane duty and ABTA is keen to start detailed policy discussions with Government on the exact design, structure and level of any new aviation tax.

Luke Pollard, ABTA’s Head of Public Affairs said: “While we broadly support a change to a per plane tax, which would incentivise airlines to fly more efficiently, with fuller passenger loads, the level and mechanics of the new tax concern our members and their customers greatly.

“We have seen with APD how a poorly designed tax system that ignored the valid concerns of the industry can be damaging to our sector and the sooner detailed policy discussions can begin the better.

“The travel industry knows that George Osborne wants to balance the books, but to maximise the tax take it must be set at a level where people can still afford to fly - not at a level where people are priced out of the skies.

“Tax on aviation – through Air Passenger Duty – in this country has risen disproportionately over the past five years.

“ABTA has always stated that there should be a fair tax take from aviation, and while we broadly welcome the move to a per plane duty that will incentivise airlines to fly more efficiently with full passenger loads - the level and structure of the new tax is crucially important.

“While leisure travellers are particularly price sensitive, higher aviation duty also has the potential to have a very detrimental effect on outbound and inbound tourism to the UK, not to mention those destinations who depend on tourism.”

 
• British Airways cabin crew used the airline’s recent AGM to vent their anger towards chief executive Willie Walsh when he gave his presentation on why permanent change was needed to secure the future of the company.

The cabin crew, whose union unite disrupted flights earlier this year by taking strike action, accused the management in general of breeding a culture of fear
However other shareholders at the AGM applauded Walsh’s speech and that of BA chairman Martin Broughton who claimed that the board’s patience was now exhausted with BASSA, the British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses.

Broughton did indicate that he felt it was only a small portion of this group that was responsible for the current strike.
 

• Fly to let ski property owners in Switzerland have been given a boost to business by Snowjet, which has announced extra flights from Stansted to Sion in its new winter timetable.

There will be three flights a week, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, making it easier for skiers and snowboarders to get to top ski resorts including Zermatt, Verbier, Saas Fee, Crans Montana, Nendaz and Veysonnaz.

Snowjet offers the only scheduled service from the UK, complementing its established route to Chambéry in France.

© Fly2Let.net Ltd 2011 l Terms of use l Contact l Free Subscription l Webmaster
Brazil l Bulgaria l Canada l Cape Verde l Croatia l Cyprus l Dubai l Egypt l France l Germany l Hungary l India l Italy l Morocco l Portugal l Romania l Slovakia
South Africa l Spain l Thailand l Turkey l UK l USA l Other Countries
Investment Property l Off Plan Developments l Ski Property l City Apartments l Golf Property l Beach Front Property l Land Investment
Cheap Flights l Car Hire l Property Finance l Property Insurance l Travel Insurance l Property Maintenance l Overseas Removals l Currency Exchange l Exhibitions & Seminars