Budget 2010: easyJet welcomes reform of "daft" Air Passenger Duty

Budget airline easyJet has welcomed news in today's Emergency Budget, announced by George Osborne, that Air Passenger Duty will be reformed.

The airline said that introducing a per plane tax that included private jets, cargo aircraft and travellers changing planes at Heathrow would mean that four fifths of British travellers would have to pay less to fly.

Andy Harrison, Chief Executive of easyJet said, "We applaud the Government's intention to end of this daft poll tax on passengers, despite fierce resistance from airlines with old aircraft who argue that inefficient flying should continue to be subsidised by efficient airlines who have invested in greener, cleaner aircraft."

"The increase in the overall tax take from November is self-defeating. Aviation is at the heart of international trade and tourism and will be crucial in getting the economy back on the road to recovery. Air tax is already higher in the UK than anywhere else in Europe, and there is simply no scope to increase it further."

By 14:46 shares in easyJet were down 2.70 per cent on the FTSE 250 to 415.00 pence per share.