Airlines have warned that the Chancellor George Osborne’s decision to abolish air tax on economy flights for children under 12 from as early as next May will present ‘significant practical difficulties’ for the industry.
Reacting to the announcement made in yesterday’s Autumn Statement, the British Air Transport Association said it had always said changed to air passenger duty should be announced at least 12 months in advance.
Airlines and tour operators will already have taken payments for flights from later than May next year, meaning they will now have to refund the tax.
BATA chief executive Nathan Stower said: "Abolishing APD for children flying economy is an early stocking filler for families who save hard for holidays and visits to friends and relatives that will also boost UK tourism.
"However, introducing the first change for children under 12 in May presents significant practical difficulties. The industry has always said that changes to APD should have at least a 12 month lead in time due to advance bookings.
"It also makes no sense for the UK to still have the highest tax on flying in the world. With devolution of APD proposed for Scotland, each party should use their manifesto to set out how they would put this seriously flawed and counterproductive tax out of its misery in the next Parliament."
The Chancellor announced that although the tax will only be abolished for children under 12 next May, it will be abolished for all children under 16 from 2015.
