Airline and airport boss want London flight congestion charge
21.10.11
The bosses of Jet2 and Leeds Bradford Airport have called on the government to introduce a ‘congestion charge’ on flights from London airports by lowering Air Passenger Duty (APD) outside of the capital. Leeds Bradford chief executive John Parkin and Jet2 managing director Ian Doubtfire have urged Chancellor George Osborne to use his Autumn Statement ‘to abandon the one-size-fits-all approach to APD’.
In a letter to Mr Osborne, they say that they ‘warmly welcome the decision to cut APD on long-haul flights from Northern Ireland from November 1. We trust this will pave the way for reductions on services from all the UK regions.’
'APD has a disproportionate impact on the UK's regions. Regional airports and airlines have also been hit hard by the economic downturn. The government should provide incentives to encourage airlines to make better use of regional airports. A ‘congestion charge’ on the busiest London airports, or a lower rate outside of London, could protect key routes and attract new ones.’
‘The decision to vary taxes in Northern Ireland signals the government’s responsiveness to the plight of regional airports. Given there is to be no new capacity in London, we urge you to make best use of the infrastructure we already have.’To book leeds bradford airport hotel or leeds bradford airport car park at the lowest price, click on these links to two great leeds bradford airport parking and leeds bradford airport hotels price comparison pages.
