Posted on July - 10 - 2011
Air passenger tax protests at Liverpool John Lennon airport
Liverpool John Lennon Airport
LIVERPOOL John Lennon airport was the focus today of an industry-wide campaign to block Air Passenger Duty rises in the next Budget.
Campaigners wearing ‘Hands off our Holiday Mr Taxman’ T-shirts were leafleting passengers to raise awareness of Government plans to raise APD by double the rate of inflation in 2012.
A poll released today by the campaign group showed that 75% of people think APD should not rise and 49% of them call for it to be cut.
Figures for the North West were even stronger, with 52% calling for a reduction.
Liverpool was one of nine airports targeted today, including Gatwick, London City and Glasgow.
The campaign is backed by the Airport Operators Association , Board of Airline Representatives in the UK and the British Air Transport Association .
They urge people to email their MP via the www.handsoffourholiday.com website.
AOA chief executive Darren Caplan said: “Our message to the Chancellor is that enough is enough.
“APD has already gone up by 325% on long haul flights and 140% on short haul flights in the past five years. Family finances are under great pressure at the moment and most people save hard all year for their holiday. Working families deserve a break.”
Simon Buck, BATA chief executive said: “The Government already takes nearly £3bn in tax from passengers. This is more than the tax on the banking industry.”
And Robin Tudor, head of PR for Liverpool JLA owner Peel Airports, added: “At JLA today we want to help raise awareness over these planned increases in APD. In the UK our passengers already pay far too much tax – the highest anywhere in the world.
“Across Europe our competitors are either lowering or scrapping APD tax as aviation prepares to enter the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
“Here, we are now threatened with a double inflation increase next year coming on top of the planned cost of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
“We are urging passengers today to complain to their MP.”
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