United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Brown’s Budget acknowledges APD anomaly
The anomaly over the two-tier rate of Air Passenger Duty has been recognised by the Government in its Budget.
Chancellor Gordon Brown said the current system of APD, where premium economy passengers pay the same higher rate as business and first class passengers, might not send the right environmental signals.
But he says the Government would only be prepared to make a change “on a broadly revenue neutral basis”.
The Government is now seeking further discussions with the travel and aviation industry over the anomaly.
The Federation of Tour Operators has welcomed the Government’s acknowledgement of the distortion, which came under item 7.85 in the Budget speech.
FTO spokesman Graham Lancaster said: “This is one of the areas we have been lobbying them about, and we look forward to further discussions. “
Last month, the FTO launched a legal challenge against the Government over APD.
“There is not a precise timetable, but the procedure is running its course,” said Lancaster.
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.
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
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm
British teen in serious condition after paraglider collision
JetBlue scraps London Gatwick flights