I'm Backing The Journal's Campaign Against The Air Passenger Duty Hike

The Journal has launched a campaign against the Government's decision to, yet again increase Air Passenger Duty - meaning that it will be four times higher than it was three years ago. I'm backing the Journal's campaign.

The rise in Air Passenger Duty could potentially damage business links with the North East (BMI has already abandoned its service to Durham Tees Valley) and it will also limit our potential to add further long haul routes out of the North East in the future. Having airports with strong links with the rest of the UK and the rest of the world is essential if we are to grow and prosper as a region. These duty increases make our task more difficult.

As James Ramsbotham, Chief Executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce has said, as a region we rely heavily on exports. We need strong regional airports to build and develop those business and transport links. Hitting passengers with this kind of tax also impacts airports in the North East far more than it does airports such as Heathrow. The CBI have described regional air services as "critical to a growing economy."

So the rise in APD has the potential to be damaging to our area's economy whilst we are suffering from a recession. It also does not live up to the environmental benefits claimed for it. Air PAssenger Duty is in no way directly linked to emissions. Nor does it incentivise airline sto use more fuel efficient aircraft.

This rise in Air Passenger Duty will be damaging for our regional economy and do nothing to help the environment. It will punish hard working people going on their annual holiday and potentially stunt the growth of the airports in the region. The Journal is quite right in its campaign. The Government needs to reconsider this rise urgently.