Taxing Time For Irish Transatlantic Flights

The British Chancellor George Osborne has hinted that a deal on abolishing Air Passenger Duty that would exempt the North's only transatlantic route could be announced this week.

Potentially hitting flights from Dublin to 'The Big Apple', it comes as the cost of the tax has been threatening to kill off the daily service between Belfast International and New York as it adds £60 to an economy fare and £120 to a business ticket, while the tax out of Dublin airport is just three euro.

Continental airlines fly from both airports and say they've been absorbing the tax cost in Belfast in order to avoid passengers simply opting for Dublin.

Commenting, the Alliance Regional Development Spokesperson Stewart Dickson said this morning that it's vital that strong action is taken by the Treasury on Air Passenger Duty to ensure that the Belfast-New York flight can be retained.

"Maintaining this air route is crucial to our economy and Alliance MP Naomi Long has been working very hard to try and protect this key link," he said.

"This air route is extremely important to attracting investment and to our tourism industry, and I call on the Chancellor George Osborne to take action regarding Air Passenger Duty to ensure the route can be safeguarded."

(BMcC)