Changes would be detrimental to British companies says chairman at Association Awards
The Baltic Air Charter Association (BACA) has slammed the UK government proposals to replace the current Air Passenger Duty (APD) as discriminatory to British airlines.
Speaking to ABTN today (24 April) at the BACA Awards 2008, chairman Markham Jackson said that any APD change would apply soley to British companies.
”This is what makes it so desperately unfair,” he said. ”We have made a submission to the Treasury about why we profoundly disagree with APD changes.
”Whatever way you dress it up it [APD] is a tax ” a tax is a tax. It will go up unless somebody does something about it.”
Also present today at the Awards, which raised ”3,250 ($6,480) for the chairman”s African schools charity ”Under Tree Schools” was pro-aviation lobby group Flying Matters chairman Brian Wilson, a Labour MP for 19 years.
”It”s important that the industry knows there is an organisation called Flying Matters,” he said. ”Keep the debate in perspective [and] let”s marginalise those people who think that attacking aviation gives them a clear conscience.
”The idea of hitting aviation in our society is not just wrong ” it is totally mad.”
BACA Awards 2008 winners
” Best Passenger Charter Airline ” Titan Airways
” Best Cargo Charter Airline ” African International Airways
” Best General Aviation Operator ” GAMA Aviation
” Best Airport ” Farnborough
” Best Handling Agent ” Signature Flight Support (Luton)