Commenting on the announcement that citizens from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan ePassport gates in future, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association Karen Dee said:
“Extending the use of ePassport gates to citizens of trusted allies is great news for the customer experiences at our international gateways.
“We are pleased to see that Government has listened to the concerns of airlines and airports about the deteriorating border experience in recent years with this announcement. It could be transformational for those airports with high numbers of arrivals from those countries.
“We now urge the Government to work with industry to build on this excellent step forward to work with industry on a long-term plan how to improve the welcome the UK gives at the border and demonstrate that Global Britain is open for business”
Commenting on the freeze for short-haul Air Passenger Duty and rise in long-haul APD, Karen Dee added:
“Last year, the UK was the only country in the EU that saw a decline in direct aviation connectivity. As we prepare to build a Global Britain, aviation connectivity will be vital. The UK currently levies the developed world’s highest departure tax, double the next-highest in the EU, and it is the biggest barrier to growing that connectivity.
“While freeze in short-haul APD is better than the rise for long-haul destinations, the failure to make a decisive cut to APD is a missed opportunity to get the UK Brexit-ready and signal to the world we are open for business.”
ENDS
