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BUDGET RESPONSE [Chancellor ‘missed opportunity’ on APD] ON ONE HAND we have Brexit enthusiasts lecturing UK business that it has become flabby, too comfortable in the EU and failing to look at faster- growing markets beyond, and on the other a government increasing the taxes on those seeking to fly to those markets and do business. It makes no sense unless the government is gambling on a revenue-raiser that business will whinge about but will ultimately absorb. Business will suck it up, but what it will also mean is that some will simply postpone that business trip to the US or India – and that will have a knock-on effect for the deals and jobs that would have followed.


Gareth Morgan, BBT columnist


FOR THE UK TO BE A LEAD PLAYER on the global stage, UK businesses should be encouraged to travel longer distances to emerging markets. Increasing the standard and higher rates of APD on long-haul builds a very real barrier to business travel and will only serve to discourage UK businesses from developing international trade deals further afield. Duty-of-care and the wellbeing of employees are high on the agenda of many UK businesses when travelling long distances to secure new deals and economic value for the UK. The government needs to strike a fairer balance in


136 BBT January/February 2018


BBTWEETS Travel tweeters: follow us on


@BBT_online and @TravelbizPaul


@adebradley Looks like Uber is going to be fighting on many fronts – the data breach story really has not helped them. Wonder how long it will be before Lyft thinks about a licence in a UK city?


@sarahvfordham It’ll probably be cheaper to visit my parents in Kent if I fly to France, then get the ferry over. BBC News – UK rail fare rise biggest for five years


@BIG_MPs


Although we would like to see #AirPassengerDuty cut, the freeze in APD for short-haul and long-haul economy flights from April 2018 is welcome. #Budget2017


@maiden_voyage Here’s a quote to reignite your passion for business travel: “To move, to breathe, to fly, to float, to gain all while you give, to roam the roads of lands remote, to travel is to live.” (Hans Christian Andersen)


@delayrepayagent 3.4% rail fare rise? How do they justify an increase in fares when they aren’t even coming close to running the service they commit to with timetables?! It’s like being your own boss, doing a terrible job and then giving yourself an increase out of everyone else’s salaries.


supporting the growth of the UK economy both at home and abroad, and should be encouraging trade. Adrian Parkes, CEO, GTMC


WE ARE EXTREMELY disappointed by the chancellor’s decision to increase APD on long-haul business travel. On one hand the government talks about forging new trade relationships with non-EU marketplaces, while on the other it increases the cost for businesses to travel and trade. This is a massively shortsighted decision made by a chancellor who purports to be pro-business. Much has been said about the post- Brexit UK being an outward- facing, export-led economy; but these words must be matched by action on airport expansion in the south-east, improving transport links to regional airports and the removal of APD. Jason Geall, VP,


American Express GBT


SMALLER AIRPORTS NEED a reasonable return on the significant capital that is invariably invested. It’s not difficult to see what the result of increasing costs and falling demand due to Brexit could have on these businesses. An APD reduction would help address the capacity crisis, particularly in the south-east, which so often exacerbates the delays passengers face. Glyn Jones, CEO, Stobart Aviation


HOTEL COSTS [UK hotels facing increasing costs]


IS IT DIRECTLY connected with Brexit... ? Quality-wise, UK hotels are some of the most prestigious in the world, even for such a high price. I was never disappointed, and I spend 50 per cent of my work travelling across Europe. (via BBT website)


DANGEROUS TRAVEL? [Business travel ‘has become more dangerous’] THE OVERALL number of air accidents hasn’t risen that much and the likelihood of being directly involved in a security incident remains relatively low. We are more aware of such accidents and mass media provides much better coverage. (via BBT website)


CHEAPEST LAST [BA to board based on cost of ticket] BA NEEDS TO do something to speed up boarding. With many people travelling with hand luggage, it takes a long time to board as people fight for space in the overhead lockers. They could say to those that buy the cheap tickets, if the space is low, their luggage with be placed in the hold. That saves the annoyance of those who have paid a full fare. BA is trying to compete with low-cost airlines, but I think it should remain full service. Its food and drink partnership with M&S is a complete disaster. Rosy Burnie (via Linkedin)


BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM


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