Senior figures in Scottish aviation and business have called on the government to freeze and reduce air passenger duty (APD) in the upcoming budget.
The Scottish Passenger Agents Association (SPAA), along with 10 other bodies, made the plea in an open letter to the the secretary of state for Scotland Michael Moore.
The letter sets out six key areas for the government to look at before making a decision, including what the policy's impact has been on trade and tourism in Scotland and the UK's regions.
The document was also signed by representatives from the Glasgow and Aberdeen Chambers of Commerce, three Scottish airports, Advantage Travel Centres and the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.
Brian Potter, SPAA's president, said it was important for stakeholders from outside the travel sector to speak out against APD.
“Damage has already been caused to Scottish business,” he said.
The letter states that “dangerously counter-productive” APD is having an “increasingly detrimental” effect on the level of outbound business and leisure travel.
Potter said: “This is a battle, on behalf of Scotland's air travellers, that we must fight hard, and as a united front we have a far greater chance of success.”
The UK already pays “by far” the highest levels of aviation tax in Europe, he added, “and this is particularly the case in Scotland”.
Potter said that many passengers flying from Scotland connect via London, often on more than one airline and on two separate tickets.
This means they must pay the domestic APD charge of £12, in addition to a European or international charge.