Members of the General Aviation Strategic Forum (GASF) have welcomed the publication by the UK government of a consultation on the subject of duties on aviation fuel.

The decision, by the European Commission, to refuse the UK's request for a continuation of the derogation that enabled aviation fuel duty to be set below the minimum levels set by the EU Energy Directive, threatened general aviation with a 30 pence per litre increase in the price of Avgas.

Since that decision last November, BBGA, AOPA, BHAB and the GA Alliance have been working with government to find an acceptable way forward.

The proposals in the consultation broadly reflect these discussions, particularly the concept of establishing a separate definition for Avgas allowing a different duty level to be set from leaded motor fuel.