The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) announces that the new Air Passenger Duty (APD) rate will depress long-haul markets, and adversely affect passengers and the travel industry in general.

APD was previously doubled in February 2007 at just six weeks notice. The Pre-Budget Report announcement will result in average increases of 400% on long-haul destinations over 4000 miles during the period January 2007 to November 2010. For example; an Economy Class flight London to Singapore will have increased from £20 to £110 over the corresponding period, equating to a 550% increase. No other country has applied this level of taxation on aviation.

The Department for Transport's own statistics demonstrate that aviation already exceeds its environmental costs by over £100 million per annum.

APD contributes over £2 billion per annum to the Treasury's revenues, none of which is set aside for any environmental benefit. The proposed increases to APD are yet another money grab from the aviation industry.

Mike Carrivick, BAR UK Chief Executive, said:

'The public will see themselves being taken for a ride, and one which they do not like.

'At a time when the Chancellor is aiming to kick start the economy, these increases will instead impose huge cost increases on the British public and adversely affect airlines and the travel industry at large.

'The increases are also likely to depress the number of inward visitors to the UK, particularly when increased costs of visitor visas are taken into account.

'We urge the Chancellor not to increase APD during a very adverse economic cycle, and to keep any future increases to realistic levels".'

For editors:
The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) Ltd represents 90+ scheduled airlines in this country in their dealings with Government, government departments, regulators and airport operators. Full details of its work, and the Board, can be found on www.bar-uk.org.

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For further information contact:

Mike Carrivick, FRAeS
Chief Executive BAR UK
Tel: 020 7393 1261
Fax: 020 7393 1206
Mobile: 07747 612840