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Taxes cut on long-haul flights from Northern Ireland
29 Sep 2011
Travellers catching long-haul flights from Northern Ireland will pay a lower level of tax from 1 November this year, the government has announced.
Air passenger duty (APD) on these services will be reduced to the current short-haul rate of £12 per passenger in economy and £24 for business and first class customers.
The decision was made to protect Northern Ireland's only direct long-haul route, after Continental Airlines threatened to stop flights from Belfast International to New York owing to high taxes.
George Osborne, the chancellor of the exchequer, noted that Northern Ireland's aviation industry faces a 'unique challenge' because travellers have the option of crossing the border to catch flights from the Republic of Ireland, where APD rates are lower.
'By announcing this immediate cut and our intention to devolve aspects of APD, the UK government is renewing its commitment to stimulating and rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy,' he added.
Abta - The Travel Association praised the decision, describing it as a 'clear indication' that the government is heeding the industry's concerns regarding the 'damaging effects' of high taxes on flights.
Opodo cheap flights, hotels and car hire - let the journey begin!
Air passenger duty (APD) on these services will be reduced to the current short-haul rate of £12 per passenger in economy and £24 for business and first class customers.
The decision was made to protect Northern Ireland's only direct long-haul route, after Continental Airlines threatened to stop flights from Belfast International to New York owing to high taxes.
George Osborne, the chancellor of the exchequer, noted that Northern Ireland's aviation industry faces a 'unique challenge' because travellers have the option of crossing the border to catch flights from the Republic of Ireland, where APD rates are lower.
'By announcing this immediate cut and our intention to devolve aspects of APD, the UK government is renewing its commitment to stimulating and rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy,' he added.
Abta - The Travel Association praised the decision, describing it as a 'clear indication' that the government is heeding the industry's concerns regarding the 'damaging effects' of high taxes on flights.
Opodo cheap flights, hotels and car hire - let the journey begin!
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