Chief Executive Mark Tanzer reacts to the Autumn Statement announcment on Air Passenger Duty;

He said:

“ABTA is delighted with today’s announcement by the Chancellor that Air Passenger Duty will be scrapped on economy flights for children – a clear indication that this Government has listened to the case made by the A Fair Tax on Flying campaign to Scrap the Tax on Family Flights.

This is a hugely positive step for UK families. In tandem with the Government’s decision at the Budget to abolish the higher-rate APD bands C and D from April, there appears to be a growing consensus in the Government of the damaging impact of this blunt and harmful tax.

However, UK businesses and consumers endure paying one of the highest flight taxes in the world. ABTA will continue to make the case that the positive momentum from Treasury on APD must continue, starting with a much needed review of the tax more widely, with a view to setting a fairer, more competitive level of APD.

We look forward to hearing the detail of this announcement and to working with Government on implementation.”