City of Derry Airports says Tory/DUP pact could boost tourism

By Richard O'Reilly

City of Derry Airport says a consultation on Air Passenger Duty is a welcome addition to the DUP/Conservative pact.

The airport Airport says it welcomes the news a detailed consultative report will be commissioned into the impact of Air Passenger Duty on tourism in Northern Ireland. 

Chairman of City of Derry Airport, Mr Roy Devine commented:

"For years we have been telling government that APD is the most significant barrier to route retention and route development at City of Derry Airport.  Something needs to be done to remove or reduce this harmful tax and to level the playing field with our nearest competitors for airline capacity in the Republic, as well as those elsewhere in Europe.  

"We believe that such a move would act as a catalyst to stimulate aviation growth that in turn will lead to the creation of new jobs and increased tourism  helping to drive overall economic growth in this region.

"We request that the proposed consultation is conducted quickly, genuinely and purposefully and are confident,if that is the case, that it will highlight to Government the harmful effects of this tax to our industry and will pave the way for the early abolition of APD for all airports in Northern Ireland."