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The Chancellor, George Osborne MP, said that he would report back to Parliament in the autumn on proposals for a new per plane duty and ABTA is keen to start detailed policy discussions with Government on the exact design,structure and level of any new aviation tax.

Luke Pollard, ABTA’s Head of Public Affairs said:

“While we broadly support a change to a per plane tax, which would incentivise airlines to fly more efficiently, with fuller passenger loads, the level and mechanics of the new tax concern our members and their customers greatly. We have seen with APD how a poorly designed tax system that ignored the valid concerns of the industry can be damaging to our sector and the sooner detailed policy discussions can begin the better. The travel industry knows that George Osborne wants to balance the books, but to maximise the tax take it must be set at a level where people can still afford to fly - not at a level where people are priced out of the skies.

“Tax on aviation – through Air Passenger Duty – in this country has risen disproportionately over the past five years.

“ABTA has always stated that there should be a fair tax take from aviation, and while we broadly welcome the move to a per plane duty that will incentivise airlines to fly more efficiently with full passenger loads - the level and structure of the new tax is crucially important.

“While leisure travellers are particularly price sensitive, higher aviation duty also has the potential to have a very detrimental effect on outbound and inbound tourism to the UK, not to mention those destinations who depend on tourism.”

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.