As if to reinforce the absurdity of his first allegation, the Labour Party spokesperson then went on to state: "It is airlines and travel companies - not passengers - who are liable for APD".
The Labour Party may indeed be jumping onboard the green bandwagon - if only to use it as a getaway vehicle - but there is a greater chance the airlines will choose not to pass on the cost of APD to the consumer than there is of the this additional revenue to environmental concerns.
Whilst the Treasury shouts about this 'green policy' saving the equivalent of 75 million tonnes of carbon every year by 2011, the fact that this contribution is only intended to be achieved by pricing people out of air travel is shared in a whisper. Personally i'd rather see Gordon put his money where his mouth is, or better yet, directly in the carbon offset donation boxes that are springing up at airports all over the country.
The levy now doubles APD on short-haul economy flights to £10 and £40 on long-haul, with First and Business Class passengers now paying £20 when flyingto European destinations and £80 long-haul. Even passengers who paid for their flights before the tax hike was announced in December must cough up the difference or risk being barred from their flights.
Now don't get me wrong, we need to halt the inevitable rise in aviation emissions and if that means raising prices to slow the demand for short-haul flights frequented by low cost airlines, then so be it, but the fact that the Government has increased the cost of flying under the guise of green intentions leaves a bitter taste in your mouth that clings rather like vapour trails in the air.
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