IoD adds its weight to anti-APD campaign

Business lobby group the Institute of Directors (IoD) is the latest supporter of A Fair Tax on Flying’s campaign against Air Passenger Duty (APD).

The campaign group, which comprises more than 30 travel and business organisations, was set up after the April Budget, when Chancellor George Osborne confirmed an 8% rise in APD.

Last week, A Fair Tax on Flying launched a new initiative to encourage people to protest to their MP about the rate of APD via its new website afairtaxonflying.org. It is aiming to attract the support of 100,000 people this summer.

Simon Walker, IoD director general, said: ‘The IoD backs this important campaign at a crucial time for the travel industry and the wider economy. For too long the Government has seen Air Passenger Duty as a cash cow.

‘The UK now levies the highest aviation passenger taxes anywhere in the world. This is unsustainable and is a major deterrent to tourism and inward investment.

‘I would encourage everyone in the industry, as well as the travelling public, to send an email to their MP to get this campaign noticed by policy-makers. Successive governments have been taking airline passengers for granted for far too long.’

According to A Fair Tax on Flying, about 700 people a day are currently emailing their MP expressing opposition to APD.