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Ourmières-Widener: ‘Scrapping APD would be an incentive to improve connectivity’


Flybe boss urges changes to APD and compensation


Brexit presents chance to cut duty ‘burden’, says Ourmières-Widener. Ian Taylor reports


Flybe chief executive Christine Ourmières-Widener called last week for the scrapping of Air Passenger Duty and changes to flightdela opensation rules when Britain leaves the EU.


She insisted: “It is imperative APD is reduced, if not scrapped, to end the lack of fairness for passengers flying within the  and allow airlines to offer more connections to the regions.”


64travelweekly.co.uk9 May 2019


AP applies on all  departures, so passengers on domestic flights pay twice. Speaking at a Westminster


nergy, nvironment and Transport Forum on aviation, Ourmières-Widener said: “APD distorts the marketplace. omestic passengers pay AP


twice while passengers flying abroad pay only once. he £26 on a return domestic flight is


equivalent to 15% of our average fare. The effect is even more apparent on leadin fares, when it can be 50% of the price. crapping AP would be an


incentive to improve connectivity. Regional aviation can be supported by reducing the burden. Ourmières-Widener also called


for a revision of  regulation 261 on compensation for flight delays and cancellations. “Passenger compensation is a disadvantage to domestic routes  paying 250 compensation on a flight that cost £50 is clearly strange, she said.


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