Archived press release

Cutting Air Passenger Duty is a flight of fancy

27 September 2011

Commenting on today's news that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will cut Air Passenger Duty for direct long-haul flights, Friends of the Earth Campaigner, Declan Allison said:

"The Chancellor is on a flight of fancy if he thinks cutting Air Passenger Duty will help Northern Ireland's economy. The aviation industry is a drain on the economy. Research shows that for every pound spent in Northern Ireland by tourists, £4 is spent by Northern Ireland residents holidaying abroad. This air passenger deficit means the economy loses over £114m every year and this is predicted to rise to £200m by 2020 if the aviation industry continues to expand at its current rate. Furthermore, because the aviation industry doesn't pay tax on fuel, about £9b is lost to the UK exchequer each year. Several more billions are lost due to a deficit in air transport services."

Mr Allison continued:

"Aviation is a costly and unsustainable industry. Instead of pursuing cheap flights, the Northern Ireland Executive should be supporting domestic economies; promoting local industries; and encouraging Northern Ireland's people to holiday in Northern Ireland."

Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland
7 Donegall Street Place
BELFAST
BT1 2FN
Tel: 028 9023 3488
Fax: 028 9024 7556
Email: [email protected]

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust