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Flybe

Flybe fires up national media campaign against air passenger duty

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By John Glenday, Reporter

December 4, 2014 | 2 min read

Flybe has launched a national media campaign setting out its stall against the ‘unfair’ Air Passenger Duty, which it says unfairly penalises people in the UK regions who must pay the tax twice on domestic flights.

It follows a move by the chancellor to abolish the charge for children, rekindling demands that adults too should be spared from coughing up.

Explaining the case Flybe chief executive Saad Hammad said: “The scrapping of APD on flights for children is to be welcomed. However, there are not many business travellers under the age of 12 years. This change is just tinkering at the edges and represents a missed opportunity by the Chancellor to show that he is serious about the economic regeneration of the UK regions.

“The Smith Commission’s recommendations to devolve APD to the Scottish Government shows progress, and we believe its implementation would demonstrate the benefits of cutting or abolishing the tax to other nations or regions within the UK, which in turn would deliver a balanced economic recovery.”

A series of adverts carrying this message will be printed in the national and regional press, contrasting the example of a flight from Manchester to Exeter which attracts a £26 charge versus Manchester to Paris where the fee is just £13.

Flybe, which operates more UK domestic flights than any other airline, stands to gain most from any change in the rules.

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