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ABTA’s Manifesto launched on 10 March outlined the need for the reform of Air Passenger Duty on a per plane rather than a per passenger basis. However, ABTA is calling on the Government to rethink its policy to scrap permission for a third runway at Heathrow and new runways at Stansted and Gatwick.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive said: “We have always stated that the travel industry should be taxed fairly and that a system more closely aligned to the efficiency of aircraft and distance travelled is the fairest way to achieve this, and we welcome the Government’s move to adopt a per plane tax. However the amount of this taxation must not be set at a punitive level and when the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme comes into force in 2012 it should be scrapped.

Before the Government makes final decisions about individual airports it needs to consider the overall capacity needs of the UK. Banning any airport expansion will severely damage UK PLC without significant environmental benefits as air traffic will simply migrate to our competitors on the continent”

ABTA has regular dialogues with numerous Government departments and will be looking to meet with key staff as soon as possible. With all the change in the political world it is essential that MPs and Peers have a clear understanding of our industry’s needs and concerns.

12 May 2010

For further information contact:
Sean Tipton, Senior Press Officer, tel: 020 3117 0513,
Frances Tuke, Public Relations Manager, tel: 020 3117 0514, Mobile 07850 712 325,
Out of Hours:  Contact the Duty Press Officer via pager: 07659 190 987
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 works to represent the interests of its Members to government and key opinion formers in the UK and EU.