MSP warns against air duty increase

EDINBURGH Western SNP MSP Colin Keir has urged Chancellor George Osborne not to increase Air Passenger Duty and give Scottish airports the chance to compete with European rivals.

He said the managing directors of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen airports had made clear that if London increased APD by 10 per cent, as planned, Scotland would be put at a competitive disadvantage.

Mr Keir said: “I’d urge George Osborne to listen to Scotland’s leading airports which are expressing serious concern at the prospect of increased Air Passenger Duty and the negative impact it would have on the sector’s economy.

“APD rates in the UK are the highest in the world and they’re driving major airlines such as Ryanair to cut services from Scottish airports.

“Many governments across Europe have reduced or removed APD completely.”