Press Release

Issued by The Air Charter Association.

May 12, 2015

The Baltic Air Charter Association has called for the newly elected UK government to act quickly in implementing new aviation policies. In particular anomalies in APD, runway capacity, border control and RAF Northolt need to be urgently addressed as they are placing many UK aircraft operators at a disadvantage.

UK aviation provides and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and delivers an essential service to a huge proportion of the world population. Another increase in the rate of APD from 1st April and the ongoing debate about runway capacity at the London airports are just two examples of how politicians are not helping our industry.

The newly elected MP Boris Johnson, commented that he will lie down and stop the bulldozers building a third runway at Heathrow during his acceptance speech. As a new MP such statements are not particularly helpful in delivering a solution regarding UK airport capacity and do nothing to advance the vital role that the aviation industry fulfils and brings to brings to the UK economy.

Similarly another delay in the publication of the Airports Commission report being compiled Sir Howard Davies, announced on 8th May, indicates that progress may be slow once the report is published.

BACA chairman Tony Coe comments "Now is the time for clear, future looking policies regarding the future of aviation in the UK. Anomalies in Air Passenger Duty, UK runway capacity, RAF Northolt and UK border control are all issues that need swift action in order that the UK aviation industry can operate competitively and fairly. We have waited far too long for recent governments to take action and I urge the new administration to act quickly on all of these matters."