United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
APD hopes are dashed
The industry’s campaign for a fairer Air Passenger Duty has been dealt a blow by the Treasury.
Chloe Smith, the new economic secretary to the Treasury, told MPs on Friday that she could not “promise the House that APD will be cut in the near futureâ€.
She said the Government needed to be “frank about the situation in which we find ourselves†and pledged to continue close dialogue with airports, airlines, and other travel organizations.
She acknowledged concerns from some MPs about anomalies in the banding structures, particularly on flights to Caribbean destinations.
Smith said she would “hold a series of meetings with stakeholders on that subjectâ€.
Smith also tackled the question of whether APD should be lower from UK regional airports than from London.
“It is fair to say there is no consensus on the matter,” she said.
“Some regional airports have asked us to consider lower APD rates for the regions, but several airlines have asked us to consider the opposite.â€
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.
Exploring Brooklands Museum with Alex Patterson
Global Tourism Challenges and Upcoming Events: A Conversation with Don Welsh
Peebles Barbeque: A Legacy of Flavor and Tradition
Exploring Bok Tower Gardens with Erica Smith
Rue’s Living Water Boat Cruises: Exploring Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes
Durango and Silverton Railroad: A Timeless Journey Through History and Scenic Beauty
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
Quake warning in Santorini after hundreds of tremors
Cockpit tarantula causes flight delays
Trump Admin vows to end cruise tax loophole
EasyJet forced into flight emergency landing after pilot collapses
Pilot confusion caused ‘serious incident’ during landing attempt