Former Transport Minister Derek Twigg joins Air Passenger Duty battle

Feb 2 2010 by William Green, The Journal

It says airlines and airports must be consulted before any further hikes in APD, adding: “Should this assessment confirm that damage is being done to regional services [ministers should] consider measures to relieve or protect those services under threat.” Mr Henderson, a former minister, said: “The Government has got to take a British view on this and the British view is that airports in the regions are important to their regional economies.”

Last night Mr Twigg told The Journal the Government needed to look at APD because of the impact on regional airports. “I would like them to have a look at it and consult with the airport,” said the former minister.

Ross Smith, from the North East Chamber of Commerce, said Mr Twigg’s support was important because he had been at the heart of Government transport policy but recognised the impact of APD.

Chris Sanders, Newcastle’s head of aviation development, said: “An extra pound or two on a ticket does not sound very much until you consider that the Easyjet profit before tax per passenger was less than £1 per passenger last year. Regrettably, many airlines are choosing to fly their aircraft in tax-free Europe rather than the UK.”