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Scotland’s air tax plans could be delayed
Plans in Scotland to cut Air Passenger Duty could be delayed by three years, politicians have been told.
The Scottish government was hoping to replace APD with a new, lower tax from April next year.
It wants to cut the tax by half and eventually scrap it altogether, arguing that it would boost the economy.
But it has now emerged that the move would require EU approval, specifically to extend the current exemption for Highlands and Islands airports, which could take longer than the Brexit negotiations.
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of airline trade body Airlines UK, said: "This potential delay is disappointing and frustrating but we’re pleased that the commitment to halving the tax still stands.
"We continue to believe that lower levels of tax on aviation will provide a much needed boost to connectivity and will make Scotland a more attractive place for airlines to add capacity, delivering new routes and more services. Following our exit from the European Union this will be more important than ever."
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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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