Aer Arann endorses easyJet’s call to end APD

Aer Arann, one of Europe’s fastest growing regional airlines, announces its support for the removal of the current flat-rate Air Passenger Duty tax (APD). Aer Arann is strongly in favour of tax that encourages airlines to invest in the most environmentally-efficient aircraft for their routes, and believe that the current tax discourages airline investment in environmentally friendly technology.

Colin Lewis, Head of Sales and Marketing at Aer Arann, explains:

“Whether long-haul or short-haul, the government needs to support airlines to invest in green technology. Aviation is just as essential to people in short-haul regional communities, as it is to long-haul destinations that rely on tourism for their economy. Currently the average holidaymaker is hit in the pocket, while wealthy businesspeople in private jets fly away exempt from the charge – harming the environment in the process.

“Aer Arann has continually invested in turboprops rather than jet engines because of their environmentally friendly make-up. In addition to lower carbon monoxide emissions, which are driven by low fuel consumption, the turboprop aircraft fly lower leaving the ozone layer and upper atmosphere unharmed. The planes are also quieter and therefore help decrease noise pollution.”

Recent statistics from the Official Airline Guide (OAG) found that regional aircraft have significantly less impact on the environment than any other type of airline - yet travellers are charged APD regardless of where they fly, or who they fly with. An Aer Arann plane uses as much fuel on a typical 370km sector as a Boeing 747 uses in taxiing.