Pilots have joined MPs in urging the government to do away with air passenger duty in next week’s Autumn Statement.

Britain has one of the highest air travel taxes in the world and it is set to rise again in April, up to £150 for some long-haul flights.

BALPA General Secretary, Brian Strutton, said:

“Pilots are pleased to see that MPs are putting pressure on the government to reduce air passenger duty but more needs to be done. We would like to see a removal of this unfair tax.

“We have been calling for air passenger duty to be scrapped for many years and especially post-Brexit we need to ensure the British aviation industry remains competitive.

“The industry needs support in these uncertain times and a further rise will only serve to discourage Britons from air travel.”