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The sensible way to address this issue is for Governments and the tourism industry to encourage airlines to invest in new aircraft which are considerably more fuel efficient as well as researching alternative fuel sources. The European Union’s Emission Trading scheme in 2012 will bring additional focus to the issue and encourage more efficient fuel usage. This is a more sensible and practical way to address carbon emissions rather than the Government’s preferred option, Air Passenger Duty, which places a direct financial burden on customers and does not encourage efficiency”

9 September 2009

For further information contact:
Sean Tipton, Communications Officer, tel: 020 3117 0513, Frances Tuke, Public Relations Manager, tel: 020 3117 0514, Mobile 07850 712325, Casia Zajac, Head of Communications, tel: 020 3117 0515, Mobile: 0754 592 7411
Out of Hours:  Contact the Duty Press Officer via pager: 07659 190987
E-mail: press@abta.co.uk
Web: www.abta.com
 
Notes to Editors
ABTA – The Travel Association was founded in 1950 and currently has 1,351 members with 5,700 outlets. Members include travel agents, tour operators and support services right across the spectrum from small family-owned businesses to the largest tour operators. 
ABTA is the largest travel association in the UK and its members provide 90% of the foreign package holidays in the UK as well as selling millions of independent travel arrangements. 
In 2008 ABTA merged with the Federation of Tour Operators [FTO], thereby cementing its role as the leading travel association and increasing benefits for both ABTA and FTO members. Both the ABTA brand which is highly recognised by consumers and the FTO brand which is well known in destinations will be retained.
As part of its comprehensive package of services to members, ABTA, as a non-party political organisation provides an effective voice to represent the interests of its Members to government and key opinion formers at the highest levels.  In the UK, these include government ministers, constituency MPs, Select Committee members, senior civil servants and members of the political opposition parties.