Airports back The Journal's tax campaign

Sep 22 2009 by Adam Jupp, The Journal

THE region's two airports today backed The Journal's A Tax Too Far campaign. Air Passenger Duty (APD) is set to rise twice in the next 14 months, which will have a knock-on effect on the price of flight tickets.

It is feared that will in turn lead to airlines abandoning key routes from the North East, which would be a devastating blow to both holidaymakers and businesses alike. APD is touted as a green tax but critics point to the fact current levels of duty already cover the cost of aviation’s environmental impact.

And with the UK the only nation to levy the tax in Europe, airport chiefs say they are being put at a competitive disadvantage. That is felt hardest in regions like the North East, where the recession is already having an impact on passenger numbers.

Yesterday we launched A Tax Too Far as business leaders described the damaging effect rises in APD will have on the regional economy. They told how the hikes will work against our ability to successfully export North East products and compete in the global marketplace.

Meanwhile, tourism chiefs said the potential erosion of strong air links from Newcastle International and Durham Tees Valley could undo work carried out to promote the region to the rest of the world.

Today, both airports have united in their opposition to the tax rises, spelling out the worst case scenario for both of them.