Over 10,000 support ‘hands off out holiday’ APD campaign
26.07.11
More than 10,000 holidaymakers have contacted their MPs to complain about the planned increase in Air Passenger Duty in 2012 - the third in four years – the Daily Mail reports. The action comes after the 'hands off our holiday' campaign was launched at nine airports to raise awareness of the increase in air travel tax.
Airport and airline associations have joined together to spearhead the campaign, in an attempt to persuade the Chancellor to drop the increase, which would affect all flights leaving the UK. The action prompted more than 10,000 people to contact their local MPs about the plan and saw the campaign website www.hansoffourholiday.com receive over 21,000 visitors.
The UK has the highest rate of flight tax in the world with holidaymakers paying 8.5 times the average APD in the rest of Europe. Since 2007, the tax on short-haul routes has increased by 140 percent and on long-haul flights by 325 percent. The increase in April 2012 could see another 10 percent increase in the tax.
The publicity drive aims to get people to lobby their MPs ahead of the Budget next year, during which the Chancellor is set to confirm the increase. For more information visit www.handsoffourholiday.com.
