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APD changes will increase emissions, says easyjet
EasyJet claims the Government’s proposed changes to Air Passenger Duty will reduce UK passenger numbers and increase annual CO2 emissions.
A report published today, compiled by Frontier Economics and commissioned by easyJet, says the changes will:
• reduce UK passenger numbers by 3 million per year
• increase CO2 emissions by up to 360,000 tonnes per year
• reduce tourist spending in the UK by £475m a year
• reduce UK GDP by £2.6 billion per year
• lead to the loss of up to 77,000 jobs
The report says the proposed changes would reduce the total number of flights but would increase CO2 emissions by encouraging more long haul flights.
The proposals, published in March, would increase APD from £12 to up to £16 per person for flights up to 2000 miles and reduce the rates and number of tax bands on long haul flights.
EasyJet has long campaigned against APD, favouring instead a per plane tax.
CEO Carolyn McCall is calling on the Government to think again on aviation taxation: “This independent report shows that the Government’s proposals on APD would be bad for the environment and the economy.
“APD has already risen by 140% since 2007 on short haul flights. This report provides convincing evidence that the Government should not impose further increases in APD on short haul flights and should rethink its policy on aviation taxation.”
Virgin Atlantic this morning issued a statement relating to the report, saying: “We share concerns about the impact of further increases on APD on family holidays, British business, and tourism alike.
“In Britain we already have the highest flight tax in Europe, with a family of four travelling to Florida paying £240 in APD alone.
“However, if the Government is determined that increases are necessary, then these should be apportioned fairly. Historically the percentage increase in this tax has been much higher for long haul flights than it has for short haul flights where alternative forms of travel often exist. This is illogical for a tax that is claimed to be an environmental one.
“Currently passengers within the EU account for 78% of all flights, but just 41% of APD revenues, and we hope that the Government will look to address this in its current review.”
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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