Airports urge Smith to act on APD as a priority
Scotland’s largest airports have called on the UK Government to act swiftly on the recommendations made by the Smith Commission and devolve Air Passenger Duty (APD) as soon as possible.
The leaders of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports have written to the leaders of the Westminster parties urging them to make an early commitment to deliver on the financial powers recommended by the Smith Commission and ensure the Scottish Parliament receives the new powers it was promised.The letter states that by harnessing the opportunity presented by the Smith Commission and devolving APD to Scotland, the UK Government will deliver a “tremendous boost to Scotland’s tourism industry and its economy as a whole.”
The letter also addresses the concerns expressed by airports in the North of England who believe they will be placed at a competitive disadvantage. The airports stated: “We are aware of and understand the concerns which have been raised by our counterparts in England regarding APD, however, we believe that any tax competition across the border would be minimal and is not in itself a good reason to prevent the devolution of the tax to Holyrood.