Four British airline chiefs have joined forces to launch a united campaign against Air Passenger Duty (APD).
The CEOs of Easyjet, British Airways' parent IAG, Ryanair and Virgin Atlantic have today (November 17) signed a joint letter to chancellor George Osborne, calling for APD to be scrapped.
Willie Walsh, IAG's CEO, said it was the first time the four airlines, who he admitted are “bitter rivals”, have got together to campaign on an issue.
The challenge to the Tory-Lib Dem government comes ahead of the chancellor's autumn review, in which he is expected to announce a rise in APD from next year.
Currently, passengers pay between £12 and £170 on each flight departing the UK, depending on the class and distance of travel.
The four airline bosses also challenged the government to commission an independent report on the long-term effects of APD on the UK economy.
Carolyn McCall, Easyjet's CEO, believes the study would show that by charging APD Britain makes a “net loss”.
As Britain has higher flight taxes than any other country in Europe, visitors are choosing to visit other more affordable destinations, said McCall.
The UK government is therefore losing out on income from other sources, for example from VAT on items purchased by inbound visitors.
According to McCall, these should add up to a figure that would outweigh the money made from APD.