O’Leary launches fresh APD rise criticism
04.10.09
November’s rise in the Air Passenger Duty (APD) is ‘insanely stupid’ and will ‘destroy’ UK tourism, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary told a media conference in London, The increase is effectively a ‘tax on the poor’, he added.
However, he said the money that will be raised by the change is so significant that there was no chance of the Government reversing its decision. Instead he urged the Conservatives to change APD so it was no longer a flat-rate tax but reflected just how much was paid for the airline ticket, if they win the General Election next year.
Mr O’Leary said: ‘This is an insanely stupid tax and will destroy tourism. It’s unfair, particularly on poor people, and will devastate visitor numbers to the UK in 2009. If the Conservatives want a quick win they will change APD so it becomes proportionate to the amount paid for tickets. At the moment APD is a huge and disproportionate tax.’
To book a stansted airport hotel or stansted airport car park at the lowest price, click on these links to two great stansted airport car parking and stansted airport hotel price comparison pages.
