Air Passenger Duty

That the Parliament notes with concern the recent report by York Aviation on behalf of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports regarding the impact in Scotland of rises in the UK Government’s air passenger duty (APD); particularly notes that rates for short-haul services have increased by around 160% since 2007, with long-haul rates increasing by up to 360% over the same period and further increases planned, at a time when Scotland and the rest of the UK have been experiencing one of the worst recessions in living memory; further notes that APD is the most expensive aviation duty in Europe and that increases in rates since 2007 and those projected through to 2016 are estimated to result in a loss of 2.1 million passengers to Scotland’s main airports per year and that, as a consequence, by 2016 £210 million less will be spent in Scotland per year by inbound visitors; also notes that direct flights are more environmentally efficient than the multi-stop journeys via overseas hub airports that APD currently incentivises; believes that the only way to properly support the ambitions of Scotland’s aviation industry, the needs of passengers and the growth of Scotland’s economy is for APD to be devolved to Scotland, as has happened in large measure in Northern Ireland, and that this should take place as soon as possible, and further believes that, as a measure to provide some immediate respite to the aviation industry, passengers and businesses, the UK Government should announce a freeze in APD levels.