Virgin Atlantic calls on customers to oppose APD
July 16, 2009Virgin Atlantic is raising the bar in the campaign against Air Passenger Duty (APD) by emblazoning its e-tickets with criticism of the controversial tax.
The airline is being backed by industry groups and passenger watchdogs – all of whom say Whitehall views the levy as little more than a cash cow.
Confirming that Virgin e-tickets now include a link to virginatlantic.com/unjusttax, Sir Richard Branson described APD as "one of the most unjust taxes out there".
"The UK government has been quietly increasing APD by huge amounts and claiming it is an environmental tax," he complained. "Yet there's not a shred of evidence to suggest the £2 billion-plus currently raised is going towards environmental or sustainable projects."
And with APD charges set to rise by as much as 113 per cent next year (see related story), Virgin's clarion call is being echoed by many in the industry.
Low-cost carrier Ryanair has branded the £10 tax on short-haul flights "suicidal", while the International Air Transport Association has said the levy will decimate an industry which is "already on its knees" as a consequence of the global recession.
You can cast your vote against APD by signing this number10.gov.uk petition.
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