Posts Tagged ‘ APD ’

New eco-taxes in France, compulsory travel insurance in Thailand then some music festivals made Adrian a little less grumpier than when he started writing this week’s column.

Frankly both politicians and airports in Great Britain are happy with this heightened emphasis on climate change.

Abolishing the tax was the policy in 2016 yet climate change was on the agenda then just as it is now. It seems that the Scottish government’s view is that the emissions issue only became crucial this year!

Recently, a specialist tour operator, Responsible Travel, issued a manifesto which – among other things – called upon the UK government to increase APD to dissuade people from flying.

Gorillas in Virunga National Park, an Eagle in Potsmouth and a generous gesture from Historic Houses are some of Adrian’s snippets today.

Devolving APD away from Westminster will only cause strife if any nation alters the rate at which APD is charged.

My forecast would be that if it is devolved and abolished in Wales, the tax will shortly disappear entirely.

The opening of the V&A Dundee, APD in Wales, increasing visitor numbers from the UK to Qatar and the Barbadian Food & Rum Festival are some of the events capturing Adrian’s interest this week.

The government suggested that, because of the billions that APD brings in, it is going to have to see some substantial reasons why it should kill the APD goose which lays so much Treasury gold.

Just as January signals the fact that rail fares go up so April indicates a rise in Air Passenger Duty.

Yesterday it was announced that Ryanair was pulling the vast majority of its flights from Glasgow Airport. Instead of there being 23 flights from the airport there would be just three – to Dublin, Wroclaw and Krakow.

Tax rises (here and in Greece) Christmas markets and the Northern Lights all go to make up some of the smaller news stories of the week.

Yesterday morning the First Minister, Carwyn Jones, said that the Welsh government would aim to scrap air passenger duty (APD) on long-haul flights if the tax was devolved to Cardiff. Nicola Sturgeon said similar things about APD when it was devolved to Scotland. She has run into problems implementing any change because it requires an EU decision. Jones will face the same problem so why say things he is unlikely to be able to deliver? The probable answer is that he only said it because
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Apd is a revenue tax and not a green tax designed to deter us from flying and reduce emissions! Isn’t it nice to know!

Yet again we have a report that rehashes old ideas, presents few new ones preferring to rely on hoary old arguments instead.

In the week that roaming charges ended in EU countries, Adrian also wonders if APD in Northern Ireland might end soon.

I am back from Berlin. Just. I managed to get out just before the airport security staff strike began. here’s a round-up of some of the week’s happenings

Security concerns at Cambeltown Airport, taxes, sales and St Bernard’s seem to be to the fore this week. Luckily it is time for the comedy festivals to come along and cheer me up!

A listed fort, toilets, supersonic flights, high-speed rail between Singapore and Malaysia, APD and Christmas Markets are on Adrian’s radar screen this week.

Saad Hammad’s idea means that the Treasury in London can have its cake and eat it.

After all the hand-wringing by airlines and the travel industry about how detrimental APD is, the government has probably brought about the taxes own demise – just by devolving responsibility.

From ITB in Berlin, Adrian reports on which destinations are in the ascendent and which are suffering. But it is Batman’s car and Maine lobster that attract his serious attention!

APD, VAT and airline profits due to reduced fuel prices are some of the topis interesting Adrian this week as well as an octpus and whale watching.

Reminding us that APD has been reduced from April 1st, Adrian looks at where we have visited in greater numbers and condems the fact that train disruption hits day-trippers and holidaymakers at one of the busiest holiday periods of the year.

Adrian sums up a week by mentioning three forthcoming anniversaries whilst wondering what might happen now that Scotloand will given control over APD.

George Osborne in his Autumn statement today has said that air passenger duty for children under 12 will be abolished on economy flights from next May.

Update: Scotland has voted no but comments from the Prime Miniister suggest that we could still have differential APD for example.

The debate in the Scottish Parliament about APD did no-one proud since each party member peddled just the “facts” that suited their party line. But then what made me every believe that I should see fair-mindedness and an understanding of the case from politicians.