Commenting on the Chancellor's decision in his Budget to increase the government's tax take from the new aviation duty by 10%, Francesca Ecsery, General Manager of Cheapflights’ UK operations said: “The budget statement regarding the intention to raise Treasury revenues by 10% with the proposed new aviation tax from the current level already raised by Air Passenger Duty tax makes it clear these taxes will be applied to the general revenue as a book-balancing exercise.  Cheapflights supports moves to reduce aviation’s already small global emissions footprint 2% globally – (United Nations IPCC report) - set out in the Sustainable Aviation Report.  However it strongly believes the additional tax revenues should be applied to achieving  the stringent 50% noise, CO2 and NO2 reduction targets set out in the report by and for the aviation industry for 2020.

She added “We welcome the Chancellor’s initiatives to speed up passenger transit through Heathrow.  The airport is an essential component contributing to the UK’s future economic health and improvement is urgently needed.  Current criticism of difficulties for passengers at Heathrow are justified and need to be addressed.”