09 Dec 2010
Aer Lingus has welcomed the cut in Ireland’s Air Travel Tax but Ryanair condemned the move as a ‘half measure’.
As part of the Irish Government’s budget, the controversial tax has been reduced from €10 per departing passenger to €3 from March 1.
It will be applied on a temporary basis until the end of 2011 when it will be reviewed.
The British Air Transport Association welcomed the cut and called on the UK government to reduce Air Passenger Duty, to help make the UK more competitive.
Ryanair claimed Irish tourism will ‘continue to be strangled by a €3 tourist tax’ and high airport charges in Ireland.
The budget carrier condemned the government for ‘not scrapping this useless tourist tax altogether as the Dutch, Belgian and Spanish governments previously have’.
Chief executive Michael O’Leary claimed the Irish budget proved the Government had no tourism policy.
A BATA spokesman said: ‘We certainly hope that the UK Government notes what the Irish Government has done in attempting to make Ireland a more attractive destination for air travellers and tourists.
‘The overall tax-take from aviation has been going up – aviation more than pays its way and as an international industry it needs to be internationally competitive.
‘No other country has a tax that brings in anything as much as APD. It is a barrier to trade and inward investment.’
Aer Lingus said it will pro-actively refund the tax differential to customers who booked directly through aerlingus.com.
Customers who booked via a travel agent have been requested by Aer Lingus to contact the travel agent to request the refund.
Aer Lingus has welcomed the cut in Ireland’s Air Travel Tax but Ryanair condemned the move as a ‘half measure’.
As part of the Irish Government’s budget, the controversial tax has been reduced from €10 per departing passenger to €3 from March 1.
It will be applied on a temporary basis until the end of 2011 when it will be reviewed.
The British Air Transport Association welcomed the cut and called on the UK government to reduce Air Passenger Duty, to help make the UK more competitive.
Ryanair claimed Irish tourism will ‘continue to be strangled by a €3 tourist tax’ and high airport charges in Ireland.
The budget carrier condemned the government for ‘not scrapping this useless tourist tax altogether as the Dutch, Belgian and Spanish governments previously have’.
Chief executive Michael O’Leary claimed the Irish budget proved the Government had no tourism policy.
A BATA spokesman said: ‘We certainly hope that the UK Government notes what the Irish Government has done in attempting to make Ireland a more attractive destination for air travellers and tourists.
‘The overall tax-take from aviation has been going up – aviation more than pays its way and as an international industry it needs to be internationally competitive.
‘No other country has a tax that brings in anything as much as APD. It is a barrier to trade and inward investment.’
Aer Lingus said it will pro-actively refund the tax differential to customers who booked directly through aerlingus.com.
Customers who booked via a travel agent have been requested by Aer Lingus to contact the travel agent to request the refund.
