Calls to reverse air passenger duty as tickets prices soar

Oct 31 2009 by Adam Jupp, The Journal

Air tickets will soar in price from today as the Government introduces the first phase of its aviation tax hikes. Adam Jupp reports.

New service

AN airport reeling from the loss of a route to the capital has been given a boost.

Airline bmi pulled its Durham Tees Valley to London Heathrow service in February, blaming inflation-busting charges at the airport and rising Air Passenger Duty (APD).

Airport bosses said the rises in APD encouraged fliers to hop over to the continent to connect with services to more far-flung destinations, rather than use domestic hubs.

Now Eastern Airways has launched a new Southampton service, with two flights each weekday in both directions.

Airline chiefs say that provides commuters with the option on travelling on to London, which is 75 miles away, by train or by motorway.

Chris Holliday, Eastern Airways’ chief operating officer, said: "Our new service not only serves Hampshire and the south coast region, but also provides an alternative option for Tees Valley business travellers visiting the M3 corridor and south west London.

"Our schedule allows commuters to maximise their day in the south before returning that evening."

Richard Whitehouse, Durham Tees Valley Airport’s aviation development manager, said: "We’ve already received a very positive response to the announcement of the new service.

"The South East is obviously one of the most important markets for companies from our region and it means that they can now get full value in term of time and money, arriving in time to do a full day’s work and also avoiding an overnight stay."