Air Passenger Duty weighs airports down

SIR – I agree entirely with the proposal by Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, and John O’Connell, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, to reduce Air Passenger Duty across Britain (Comment, August 18). I would cut it to zero.

The Irish Republic does not charge Air Passenger Duty at all – so Northern Ireland airports are getting absolutely hammered by Dublin Airport, which has been expanded massively by the EU. Dublin has dozens of routes, especially long-haul; at Belfast International, one long-haul airline after another has pulled out. The cost in jobs and development opportunities in Northern Ireland has been heavy.

It has become clear why the Irish Republic pushed so hard for a motorway link from Dublin to Belfast (again, with EU money). All sorts of unfamiliar products are now sold here, at the cost of local jobs; and the Dublin authorities have erected large hoardings all over Belfast, promoting flights from Dublin. Ending Air Passenger Duty would help to stop the destruction of jobs and give Northern Ireland’s airports a chance of survival.

J Charles Teggart

Bangor, Co Down

SIR – I was disappointed but not surprised at the apparent self-interest behind the article by Mr Alderslade and Mr O’Connell, advocating yet more aircraft flights in an already overcrowded sky (over 100,000 flights per day).

They showed no regard for the environment, and didn’t give so much as a nod towards reducing our carbon footprint – so long as business forges ahead.

Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that this attitude is going to change, merely for the sake of saving the planet.

Geoffrey Phillips

Ledbury, Herefordshire