The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) reports that its airline members are already experiencing negative impacts from the extortionate Air Passenger Duty increases coming into force Monday 1st November. BAR UK claims that the increases are proving to be indiscriminate, not only to UK residents but also to visitors to the UK. This will impact the UK economy since they will be deterred from visiting and encouraged to go elsewhere.

Mike Carrivick, Chief Executive of BAR UK said “The effect of the increases on destinations such as the Caribbean have now reached the point where it is the equivalent of a family group paying for four tickets but only receiving three.”

He continued “BAR UK has campaigned tirelessly against these excessive and unfair taxes. Air passengers are being discriminated against and the economy will suffer. BAR UK is calling on the Treasury not to implement any further increases since the airline industry and its customers cannot afford the international competitiveness of the UK to slide any further.”