News: Industry big wig attacks aviation tax hike

Flights > News > # 1314 (13/06/2007)

One of the travel industry’s leading figures has slammed Gordon Brown’s decision to double air passenger duty (APD) earlier this year.
Giovanni Bisignani, the chief executive of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) accused the prime minister in waiting of lining the government’s coffers without actually doing anything to help the environment.
Speaking at the annual IATA conference in Vancouver, Bisignani said: “For the environment, Chancellor Brown doubled the air passenger duty and we are paying a billion pounds for his green credentials. He helped the UK budget but what has he done for the environment? He hasn't planted any trees, but he is lost in the woods."
Bisignani admitted that the aviation industry’s green credentials were far from perfect, but called on politicians to cut the spin and deliver some “real results.”