Responding to the announcement of a new, more liberal aviation agreement between the UK and China, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association (AOA) Karen Dee said:
“This agreement is welcome news for UK airports, as it provides the basis for strengthening our connectivity to the fast-expanding Chinese market. It is these kinds of agreements that the UK will need to ensure we are Brexit ready.
“The next step for boosting our post-Brexit connectivity is for the Government to review the UK’s Air Passenger Duty (APD). Having Europe’s highest aviation tax – double that of Germany, the next-highest such tax – makes UK airports less competitive when trying to attract the flights this new agreement will now allow.
“Cutting UK APD by half would level the playing field for UK airports and, combined with new aviation agreements, ensures that we can provide the connectivity the UK will need after Brexit.”
ENDS
