Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey has welcomed today’s announcement by Chloe Smith MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury that Air Passenger Duty from Northern Ireland airports is to be reduces.
Lord Empey said;
'I welcome the government statement that air passenger duty from Northern Ireland Airports for long haul flights is being reduced to the short haul rate of £12 for economy passengers and £24 for business passengers. For a New York flight this would have remained as £60 and £120 respectively.'
'There will now be a negotiation with the Executive as there will be a cost to the devolution of some aspects of APD to the Executive and the government will also need to introduce primary legislation. Nonetheless, I believe this is a price worth paying as it is absolutely essential that Northern Ireland retains vital links to the outside world and particularly North America.”
