Fight against unfair APD goes on says Howell as first airline pulls out of UK
The fight against the unfair and damaging Air Passenger Duty will not be deterred by the government’s decision to press ahead with an 8% hike in APD this April says Multicom MD John Howell.
His comments came as Air Asia X announced they were pulling out of Europe citing the cost of APD as a key factor in their decision.
Howell launched his own e-petition last November calling for a further freeze to APD rates which generated more than 550 signatures in its first three days.
Over 800 signatures had been secured by the end of the year, highlighting the strength of feeling in the industry claims Howell.
The Multicom boss is now calling for a continued campaign and said: “While the government may have decided to press ahead with this increase in April the industry needs to remain strong and committed to fighting this unfair tax.
“It is damaging to our economy as can be seen by the decision of Air Asia X to pull out of Europe, the economic arguments expose exactly why it needs to be scrapped.
“I am delighted with the number of people who have supported the e-petition so far but there is still more to do.
“It is vital that as an industry we continue to present a united front and speak with a single voice on this issue,” said Howell.
Howell’s e-petition expires on the 18th February and he is urging all travel industry staff who have not yet signed it to do so before the deadline.
“We may not reach the magic 100,000 figure to trigger a debate in parliament but the more people who support this petition the less likely the government is to ignore the feeling of the industry,” added Howell.