Air passenger tax ‘hinders efforts to see off recession’
Nov 4 2009 by William Green, The Journal
THE Government has been told it picked the worst possible time to introduce new air taxes.
Business leaders and airline bosses have warned the North East’s economic recovery could be hindered by the latest increase in air passenger duty.
And efforts to bring in new air routes to Newcastle are also being held back by the new charges. Members of the UK’s Airport Operators Association have called on the Government to free up airliners to act as a catalyst for economic recovery.
Speaking at the event in London yesterday, North East Chamber of Commerce boss James Ramsbotham added his voice to those warning about the impact of airline tax rises.
Mr Ramsbotham said: “NECC has highlighted repeatedly that the way out of recession for the North East economy is through export and foreign trade.
“We are gravely concerned about the impact air passenger duty will have on global trade.
“Anything that makes our economy less competitive and the conditions less conducive to export goods and services is likely to have a seriously damaging effect and impede the recovery.
