VIRGIN CALLS ON UK GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE APD FOR SHORT-HAUL FLIGHTS

Virgin Atlantic has suggested that short haul flights should take a greater share of air passenger duty (APD) burden. The long-haul carrier says APD has increased on its flights by 50% over the past four years but only by 20% for short-haul flights, which the airline states is more environmentally damaging. Virgin has called for short-haul APD to be doubled or for the government to address the imbalance. The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) is continuing to oppose the planned 10% increase in APD from next year. The UK government has declared it will make a decision on the