Call for Scottish Government control over airport taxes

THE Scottish Government has stepped up demands for the control over the tax regime for airlines to be handed to Holyrood.

• UK-wide approach to air passenger duty (APD) is making Scottish airports “uncompetitive”, SNP ministers say

The UK Government recently handed control over APD to Northern Ireland for long haul flights and Scottish infrastructure secretary Alex Neil is now demanding this power be devolved north of the border.

“Our airports and airlines are telling us on a regular basis that APD is eroding their ability to introduce new direct international air services from Scotland,” Mr Neil said.

“Repeated hikes in APD have increased costs substantially for Scots and visitors to our country alike. The case for Scotland to control APD is compelling, and is backed by all four of Scotland’s major airports.”

Significant APD rises came into effect in April 2012 and further rises are planned from April 2013.

The UK Government said in December that it would explore the feasibility of devolving APD to Scotland and Mr Neil has written to his UK counterparts this week seeking an “urgent update” on progress.