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Bristol Airport warns of traffic, job and route losses
Bristol Airport claims the abolition of air passenger duty in Wales would cost the southwest economy £843 million and lead to the loss of more than 1,500 jobs because passengers would fly from Cardiff instead.
Chancellor George Osborne is expected to confirm the devolution of APD to Wales in next month’s Budget following a recommendation by the 2012 Silk Committee into how the country should be funded.
However, Bristol Airport chief executive Robert Sinclair said this would lead to a 25% fall in passengers for his airport and the loss of a third of its routes.
North Somerset Tory MP Liam Fox has urged the Government to reconsider the move, warning that it will lead to less consumer choice, job losses and reduced economic activity in the southwest.
APD is being devolved to Scotland, where the SNP government has pledged to begin reducing the tax down to 50% in 2018.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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