Air passengers hit by £23m ‘stealth tax’

BUSINESS travellers flying from Scottish airports paid £23 million in air passenger duty (APD) last year, impacting on their companies, according to a campaign group.

The “Fair Tax on Flying” alliance – which is made up of airlines, airport operators and tour companies – said more than 520,000 flights leaving Scottish airports in 2010 were classed as “business” journeys.

Based on data from the Office for National Statistics, the alliance claimed £12.4m was paid by Scots travelling abroad to carry out business, while £11m was levied on foreigners entering Scotland.

Simon Buck, chief executive of the British Air Transport Association, said: “It beggars belief that the UK government can hit business in Scotland with a tax of this magnitude.

“Businesses here in Scotland are being dragged down by this stealth tax on wealth generators.”