§ Mr. Peter DuncanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many air journeys to and from(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scottish airports were subject to the (i) standard and (ii) higher rate of air passenger duty in each of the last five years. [67845]
§ John HealeyAir passenger duty is applicable only to journeys by chargeable passengers on chargeable aircraft departing from a UK airport. Journeys to the UK from outside the UK may be subject to duties and taxes in the country of departure.
Until 31 March 2001 there were two rates of duty, a lower rate for destinations within the European Economic Area (EEA) and a higher rate applicable to all other destinations. From 1 April 2001 four rates of duty have been in force, standard rates of duty for both EEA and non EEA destinations and reduced rates of duty for both EEA and non EEA destinations. An exemption from duty for flights from airports in the Scottish Highlands and 1033W Islands was introduced on 1 April 2001. The numbers of journeys made (in thousands) by chargeable passengers from the UK for the previous five financial years are given in the table.
£000 Financial year Higher rate (non EEA destinations) Lower rate (EEA destinations) 1997–98 19,359 39,328 1998–99 20,583 42,986 1999–2000 21,304 45.363 2000–01 23,069 49,197 2Non EEA 3Non EEA 2EEA 3EEA 2001–021 2,669 19,349 4,433 52,152 1Provisional 2Destinations (standard rates) 3 Destinations (lower rate) (b) No separate breakdown exists for chargeable journeys from Scottish airports.