Motion S5M-09990: Norwegian Airline Reduces Flights

20 Jan 2018

That the Parliament notes the news that the airline, Norwegian, will be withdrawing a route to Connecticut from Edinburgh due, it believes, to delays in the reduction of Air Passenger Duty (APD) or Air Departure Tax (ADT); understands that the airline will also be reducing the number of flights to Rhode Island and Stewart, north of New York City; believes that this is the first time that an airline has said that it is cutting flights due to APD; accepts that there are arguments on both sides of APD and that there are legal complications; considers that one of Scotland’s key strengths is its tourism industry, and looks forward to further consideration of a reduction in APD, which it believes will bring with it significant potential benefits to the sector and the number of international flights into and out of Scotland.