Departure tax rates could be lowered at regional airports; increased at congested airports

UK's Aviation Minister Theresa Villiers stated the UK Government was considering a reform of the Air Passenger Duty (APD) to reduce the impact it has on regional airports (manchestereveningnews, 23-Dec-2010). The reform could see departure taxes on services from congested airports being increased with Ms Villiers stating: "It is not inconceivable that our tax reform might look at a higher tax to fly from congested south east airports." This would replace the existing standard one-rate policy.