Evidence invited on Air Departure Tax Bill

Holyrood’s Finance & Constitution Committee has issued a call for evidence on the Scottish Government's Air Departure Tax Bill, as it begins its stage 1 scrutiny of the measure.

The bill will replace air passenger duty in Scotland, giving the Scottish Government power to levy a tax on aircraft operators on the “carriage of passengers on flights that begin in Scotland”.

Ministers want to cut the equivalent rate of duty by half, a plan which is set to be opposed in the Parliament.

The committee will take evidence from a range of witnesses, including business and environmental organisations.

Convener Bruce Crawford MSP commented: “It’s the job of our committee to examine the detail of this bill – whether we agree with its general principles and whether it is likely to achieve the strategic and policy objectives set by the Government.

“The Government has said the bill will help to generate new direct air routes, sustain existing routes and increase inbound tourism to Scotland.

“Our committee, therefore, wants to hear public evidence on the economic merits of the bill but also on its potential environmental impact."

Click here to access the call for evidence. The closing date for responses is Friday 10 February 2017. Three public evidence sessions on the bill are planned for February.