Article from BTNews 9 APRIL 2018
Caution over aviation next steps
The government’s latest report last week on next steps on the future of UK aviation after Brexit met with a mixed reaction from the industry.
The paper is the last request for views before a consultation document is published this autumn.
It includes measures to make fees more transparent, ease journeys for wheelchair users and tackle disruptive passengers. Making it easier to claim compensation after delays and cancellations also forms a key part.
Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade urged ministers to “address some of the key challenges facing our sector”, such as an effective border operation to meet future growth and dealing with an aviation tax which “does so much to damage our connectivity”.
Airport Operators Association (AOA) chief executive Karen Dee said she welcomed the fact the report included a call for continued participation in the European Aviation Safety Agency.
She added: “The report also recognises the importance of the UK agreeing new air services agreements and air safety agreements to enable today’s air traffic to continue unhindered.
“Airports across the EU would like to see an agreement that matches as closely as possible today’s arrangements to maintain a competitive aviation market across Europe.”
OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)
All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum
Gary Hudson, St Helier, Jersey
Often you hear about the high UK departure tax, which is now one of the highest in the world. Am I missing something. This tax, I believe, was initially introduced for environmental purposes, and as with all taxes has grown, and appears to disappear into a general bottomless tax pit The government, with all interested parties, should with the Brexit opportunity, take stock and come up with a more fair taxation and whilst the government should be as transparent as they wish airlines to be, and admit that this tax is no longer environmental, let's not regress, look forward, encourage visitors and business to the UK, and cut this tax
Graham Howat, UK
I note Tim Alderslade\'s comment on the UK\'s \'damaging aviation tax\'. I have found this very opaque and would welcome it if a reader could shed some light. I have just purchased a ticket UK-Qatar v-v for c£500 of which £300 is \'Airport Tax\'. 60% tax is crazy!