Tired of the stupid APD charges? Tell your MP via A Fair Tax On Flying…

There’s a short but sweet website for those of you who want to let your Member of Parliament (MP) know EXACTLY how you feel about Air Passenger Duty (APD).

It’s “A Fair Tax On Flying – http://www.afairtaxonflying.org/” and it’s simple aim is pile the pressure on MP’s to raise the question of APD in the Westminster Chambers and to try and reduce the pain that is APD.

Air Passenger Duty was introduced in 1994 by the Conservative Government with the aim to use it as a “Green Tax”. However, times change and both Labour Government and the successive coalition Government (Conservative/Liberal Democrats) used APD as a taxation device with the abandonment of the tax being green (in fact, there was zero ring-fencing of the original tax in the first place which went into coffers of Her Majesty’s Treasury).

When introduced in the first stages, these were the costs

Not excessive, but annoying to say the least.

In 2009, this wasn’t good enough for the Labour Government, so a new method of calculating APD came about that we have all come to hate was introduced, with radial pricing APD pricing from London to the capital of the country where you were heading:

Oh, and to cap it off, there’s an 8% rise next year “in line with inflation”.

So if you’re unhappy and want to  generate a letter you,  need a UK Postcode (as that will tie the email to your local MP), and follow the instructions:

Pop the postcode in… (Not my Postcode by the way – that’s the local sorting office ;))

This will then generate a letter like the one below with your local MP’s contact details:

Text of the letter:

Your MP:
<MP’s Name>
(Your MP’s Ward)

Dear <Your MP>

As one of your constituents I would like to express my opposition to the unacceptable level of the UK’s Air Passenger Duty (APD). Successive governments have increased this tax, with another large increase of 8% taking effect just this April. I am supporting A Fair Tax on Flying campaign (www.aFairTaxonFlying.org) because I believe this tax is now far too high.

Did you know that the UK now has the highest air passenger tax in the world? Only five European countries tax passengers when they fly overseas and UK rates are twice the level of the next most expensive tax (levied in Germany). A Fair Tax on Flying campaign has calculated that the Treasury collected more than twice as much in passenger taxes in 2011 than the all other European countries that levy a tax combined. To put that into context, a family of four flying in Economy class from the UK to the United States, for example, pays £260 in APD tax, whereas in France the equivalent tax is only £38. That’s a shocking difference. Why should I pay so much more than someone in France or any other country in Europe?

My interest isn’t just personal. Politicians on all sides talk about the importance of competitiveness, exports and inbound tourism to the economic recovery and growth. A tax on flying would appear to have an impact on all of the above yet ours is clearly internationally uncompetitive. Do you share my concern that APD might be hindering growth rather than supporting it?

Many other European countries, including Holland, Denmark and Belgium, have scrapped their APD because of the impact it was having on families and the wider economy. I ask that you write to the Chancellor to request that the Treasury undertakes research to determine the impact of APD on UK holidaymakers, employment and economic growth.

Yours Sincerely

It’s then a matter of filling in your details, press SUBMIT, and off you go.

Now this is all fun, and it looks profession this site is – especially to marry up the postcode database and MP database. So – who’s behind it?

Conveniently there’s a lovely page that’s called “About Us“, and a single look at this shows this is a travel industry special with a lot of the “usual suspects” on the list – in alphabetical order…

ABTA – the Travel Association, American Airlines, Airport Operators Association, Association of National Tourist Offices and Representatives, British Airline Pilots’ Association, British Airways, BAA, The Board of Airline Representatives in the UK, British Air Transport Association, Blackpool Airport, BMI, Bristol Airport, Carlson Wagonlit, European Tour Operators Association, Expedia, Gatwick Airport, Guild of Travel Management Companies, Jet2, Lastminute.com, Leeds Bradford International Airport, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, London City Airport, London Luton Airport, Manchester Airports Group, Manston Kent Airport, Monarch, Newcastle International Airport, Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association, The Caribbean Council, The Co-operative Travel, Thomas Cook, Tourism Alliance, TUI Travel PLC, UKinbound, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Holidays, World Travel and Tourism Council

If you’re in the UK, I’d urge you to moan to your MP, send an email and sign the petition. Because as the elected official, it is their duty to pay attention to your voice – if they like it or not.

And if they don’t like you complaining to them over a matter that affects you, you’ll have the opportunity to kick them out of office in the next By-Election or General Election. Like it or not, some MP’s need the little reminder that they work for the good of the United Kingdom, and not to their own political interests.

If you’re beyond the borders of the United Kingdom, I’d personally be drafting your letters/emails to:

HM Treasury Twitter feed for those who like to tweet: @hmtreasury

Again – the only way to tell those in power that you are unhappy at the APD situation is to vent your voices. Loudly. Often. Until they listen.