Belfast APD cut 'a special case'
21.10.11
The Prime Minister dismissed calls from regional airports in the UK for a cut in air passenger duty (APD) following the cut announced for Northern Ireland. David Cameron said the cut in APD on long haul flights from Northern Ireland was a special case, the Belfast Telegraph reports.
Since George Osborne announced a cut in APD on long haul flights from Northern Ireland - to support flights from Belfast to New York - there have been calls from airports, airlines and MPs representing other UK regions for similar cuts. However, Mr Cameron said yesterday: ‘I understand the arguments. We want successful regional airports. I am happy to look at what will help regional airports, but we have a national taxation system and that would be difficult to change.'
‘We made an exception for Belfast and devolved air passenger duty for a very specific reason. They have a different situation, with a land border with the Irish Republic giving people a choice of where to fly from.’ [Air taxes on flights to New York from Dublin are just €3, compared to a minimum of £60 from Belfast. This will drop to £12 from November 1]
The Government is currently consulting on the rates of APD charged in the UK.
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