UK APD MESS

British airlines have accused the government of concealing an increase in flight taxes despite claims that the air passenger duty (APD) levy will be frozen for a year. The British Air Transport Association (Bata), whose members include British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, said they were not expecting an APD increase in the first place and were stunned by the budget announcement that a rise would be delayed for 12 months. “What increase do they mean? We never knew that there was due to be a rise. It is spin to claim that it has been deferred,” said Simon Buck, chief