10,000 signatures reached
To: The Prime Minister
Waive APD now to support the aviation industry
We members of the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) to urge you to take immediate action to support the aviation industry through the challenges of the Coronavirus and the collapse of Flybe.
We are dismayed that the Budget made no mention of the severe impact of COVID-19 on the aviation industry despite a commitment to minimising the economic damage inflicted as a result of this virus. The aviation sector is at the forefront of this impact and we believe that the failure to introduce supporting measures is a significant and dangerous mistake. This comes at the same time as the aviation sector looks to respond to the collapse of Flybe, including looking to replace a number of vital routes.
Alongside this the increase of long haul APD to £82 from 2021-22 is the latest hike to our aviation taxes that leaves us with the highest aviation taxes in Europe and amongst the highest in the world and runs contrary to the Government’s objectives for a global Britain as well as acting as a brake on our global connectivity.
Whilst we welcome the announcement of a consultation on aviation tax reform, which will be held in the spring, this will do little to protect the aviation industry through this exceptionally challenging period.
We urge you to reconsider this and take urgent action including introducing an immediate waiver from APD for the next six months. This would help to support the sector in reaching the busier summer season and see out the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, in anticipation of demand for air travel returning.
Our industry needs support now, not in the spring.
Why is this important?
Coronavirus is hitting the aviation industry hard. We have already lost Flybe and much of the rest of the industry is in a fight for survival. The Government announced no help at all for the industry in the budget, and it needs significant help now.