Airport Operators Association response to publication of ICE State of the Nation Transport report

Company Airport Operators Association
Date 03.07.2013

The Airport Operators Association (AOA), the trade body for UK airports, has responded to the publication of a new report by the Institution of Civil Engineers titled “The State of the Nation Transport 2013”.  

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association, said:

“This report is an interesting contribution to the debate on transport, including aviation policy. On Air Passenger Duty (APD), we would have liked to have seen the report recommend to the Treasury that it commission an urgent review into the impact of the tax on the whole of the UK economy. The Government needs to understandthe damage this eye-wateringly high tax is having not just on airports but on the UK’s economy and connectivity with the rest of the world. We strongly urge the Treasury to reduce the tax and carry out this review.

“On the Airports Commission, our position is clear. We would like to see Sir Howard Davies and his team given the opportunity to properly consider all the options for additional airport capacity in a fair and transparent way. However, it is vital that when the Commission’s Final Report is published in 2015, the government of the day takes decisive action to act on the recommendations as soon as possible. Having set the Commission up, the political parties need to back its findings and then get on with the job of providing the much needed additional capacity this country needs, wherever that may be.”

For further information please contact Tim Alderslade on 0207 340 0992 or timalderslade@aoa.org.uk.

Contact

Airport Operators Association
3 Birdcage Walk
London
United Kingdom
SW1H 9JJ
  • 020 7799 3171