On Tuesday, the Air Transport Association of America expressed their opposition of the decision from the United Kingdom government to revise and significantly increase the amount collected from the air passenger duty fee. This decision is counterproductive to the environmental progress of the airlines, as well as is a conflict with the law established.

Although the government alleges that they moderated the increased amount of air passenger duty because of the economic crisis, the rises are still substantial. Now, the per-passenger duty for a one-way flight in economy class from the United States to the United Kingdom will increase from £40 to £60 over the next 2 years.

James C. May, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Air Transport Association, said that this decision is being made in order to raise revenue for the government. The funds that are collected will not go towards environmental projects, yet, money is taken from the airlines in the form of taxes, which they could invest in greenhouse gas-efficient and fuel-efficient technologies, he continued. He also added that this action is illegal, which they anticipate to settle in court.

The Association feels that the revised duty is a violation to a variety of provisions under the Chicago Convention, as well as the bilateral air operation agreements that regulate taxes, charges, and extraterritorial actions. The duty also improperly alleges regulatory jurisdiction on flights that are far outside of the airspace for the United Kingdom through taxing flights, while a lesser tax is placed on flights inside the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Learn more about the association at: www.airlines.org