The Airport Operators Association (AOA), the trade body for UK airports, has responded to the publication of the House of Commons Transport Select Committee report on Aviation Strategy.
Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association, said:
“Aviation contributes some £50 billion and more than a million jobs to UK plc. It is clear from the Committee’s report that aviation is vital in securing economic prosperity and long-term growth for the UK, and that the sector should be allowed to grow, especially in light of the anticipated rise in demand for air travel in the next 40 years.
“The Airport Operators Association believes that the UK needs both vibrant point to point airports and world class hub capacity, and that all airports which want to expand should be allowed to do so. This will enable the country to improve its connectivity with the rest of the world and better compete with international rivals who are already growing their ties with some of the high growth, developing markets. This is important if we are to be a successful, outward-looking trading nation in future years.
“The Transport Select Committee report also agrees with more than 200,000 people who wrote to their local MP in the recent A Fair Tax on Flying campaign, calling for the Chancellor to commission an independent study into the impact Air Passenger Duty (APD) is having on the UK economy. The Committee’s report adds yet more evidence to recent economic studies which clearly show that APD is not only costing the country lost revenue, but is also deterring airlines from introducing new routes to UK airports. How can it be fair that a family of four flying from the UK to the US has to pay £268 in APD at the lowest possible rate, whereas in France they pay £38 and in 21 out of 27 other EU countries they pay no aviation tax at all?”
For further information please contact Tim Alderslade on 0207 340 0992 or [email protected].
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
The Airport Operators Association (AOA) is the trade association that represents UK airports. Its mission is to see UK airports grow sustainably. It represents the views of UK airports to Government, Parliament and Regulators to secure policy outcomes that help deliver our mission. The AOA represents some 50+ UK airports and general aviation airfields in the UK. For more information, please visit www.airportsuk.org.
