TaxPayers' Alliance calls for the end of hated Holiday Tax at Liverpool Airport

The TaxPayers’ Alliance today (Wednesday) calls on the Government to abolish Britain’s unfair holiday tax, Air Passenger Duty, as it continues a national awareness campaign at Liverpool Airport.

With millions of families expected to escape Britain’s shores in one of the busiest weeks for Britain’s airports, the extra burden on holidaying taxpayers comes into sharp focus. Local activists and supporters of the TPA will be campaigning at Liverpool John Lennon from 13:30 - 15:00 in the Departures lobby. Please see Notes to Editors for further details. 

Whilst long-haul flights see significant levies applied, Air Passenger Duty makes up an often ludicrously high percentage of the cost of short-haul flights, in some cases up to a third of the price. Further details can be found in the Notes to Editors below.

Exporters, too, see Air Passenger Duty as a disincentive to trading abroad. Cutting the tax would not only make life easier for holidaymakers, but give businesses and airports a welcome boost creating jobs and growth right across the UK.

The Chancellor has made some welcome changes at the very top-end of Air Passenger Duty, but they are not sufficient to alleviate the damaging effect of the duty on everyday families and consumers.

Jonathan Isaby, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, will say on the day:

“Britain’s punitive taxes on flights, now the highest in the world, are an incredible burden on families who have saved up for a well-earned break in the sun. 

“British businesses are constantly being told they need to export to get ahead in the so-called global race, but are stung with high taxes when trying to explore new markets. Air Passenger Duty is regressive, counter-productive and unfair – it’s time to scrap it.” 

Robin Tudor, Head of Public Relations at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, will add:

"APD remains a barrier to airline growth in the UK, with airlines highlighting that it continues to be a factor in them developing fewer flights serving the UK market. It needs to be reduced or removed altogether in order to stimulate the market, particularly where low cost airlines are dominant.

"Recent reforms to the tax have bought no benefit whatsoever for the 2 million passengers departing from Liverpool each year, since changes are required at the lowest bands of APD."