You recently contacted me to voice your support for the banning of private jets; I want to use this statement to update you on my thoughts regarding such proposals.
Technical consultation and analysis as part of the Government's Jet Zero programme showed that the aviation sector can achieve net zero without the need for Government intervention to limit aviation growth. The Government's stated aim is to preserve the ability for people to fly whilst supporting consumers to make sustainable aviation travel choices. To begin delivering this vision, the Government is funding a British-led consortium as it conducts the first ever net zero transatlantic flight.
In terms of taxation, as part of a consultation on aviation tax reform between March and June 2021, the Government sought views on whether a frequent flyer levy could replace Air Passenger Duty (APD) as the principal tax on the aviation sector.
Following the consultation, having considered all views received carefully, the Government published a response which outlined that it was minded to retain APD as the principal tax on the aviation sector, noting in particular concerns about the possible administrative complexity and data processing, handling and privacy of a frequent flyer levy.
You can read more about the consultation here: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-aviation-tax-reform
