easyJet, Northern Ireland’s largest airline today continued to warn politicians that millions of pas

We see a direct correlation between the amount of money we are losing on the route and the size of the cheque we are writing to Westminster. We came to Belfast as we believed that it was a sensible and strong proposition but as these taxes continue hilton hotel london to rise it continues to be less of a viable option when it is right next door to a different tax regime where we can offer lower prices, hilton hotel london he added.
easyJet, Northern Ireland's largest airline today continued to warn politicians hilton hotel london that millions of passengers flying to and from Northern Ireland face a massive aviation hilton hotel london tax hike if UK Government proposals to increase Air Passenger Duty are implemented. Under the proposals a family hilton hotel london of four wanting to enjoy a short break or holiday to Europe will face a 33% tax hike leaving them paying a total of £64. This rises to £128 if they fly on holiday hilton hotel london to England or Scotland.
hilton hotel london Speaking at the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Paul Simmons, the airline's UK Director said: "This is an unfair hilton hotel london tax overall, but it's especially unfair for the people of Northern hilton hotel london Ireland. And if this tax is increased, it will have a serious impact on tourism".
easyJet has already published an independent report by Frontier Economics, which shows that the Government s proposals would be bad for Northern Ireland. The report predicted that the proposals would reduce Northern Ireland passenger numbers by 104,000 per year.
easyJet has long campaigned against APD, favouring instead a per plane tax which would be fairer on passengers and encourage airlines to be greener. The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats both pledged to move to a greener tax in their 2010 Westminster election manifestos hilton hotel london and the Coalition Government committed to introduce a 'per flight' tax. They appear to have reversed the policy.
In the response we have sent to the treasury hilton hotel london we have highlighted a number hilton hotel london of options, Mr Wilson said. Firstly we could have an exemption as others parts in the UK have given their geographical location. Secondly the tax could become a flat rate, regardless of distance, which would reduce it considerably and thirdly tax could be devolved hilton hotel london to Northern Ireland and we could make up our mind whether to apply APD or not.