AN airport could lose hundreds of thousands of passengers if Scotland is allowed to steal a march on English rivals over tax changes, it was last night (Tuesday, June 13) claimed.

Newcastle Airport officials say the Government must act quickly to arrest fears over air passenger duty (APD).

The calls come as ministers north of the border implement the Air Departure Tax Bill, with a view to reducing and eventually scrapping the levy.

Newcastle bosses have long argued they want at the very least a matching of any cuts across the rest of the UK, saying they fear major changes to Scottish APD could see at least 500,000 passengers lured away from the North-East site, as holidaymakers and potentially airlines, seek to dodge the charge in England.

The Government has yet to indicate if it will proceed with any fresh action on APD, with information on its website yesterday listing APD rates from April 2018.

However, the Democratic Unionist Party’s anticipated deal with the Conservatives has raised new hope for campaigners, since the former’s General Election manifesto included a commitment to pursue the abolition of APD.

And, speaking last night, Graeme Mason, Newcastle Airport’s planning and corporate affairs director, said it was time for ministers to take clinical action and provide clarity.

He told The Northern Echo: “It is clear that Scotland is moving forward.

“We don’t know how much they are going to reduce the tax by but we need to be prepared for all eventualities.

“We need clarity from the Government; they should make a pre-emptive move and solve the problem once and for all.

“Losing passengers here would undermine the North-East economy, at a time when it needs support.”

Mr Mason also urged the Government to honour a promise made by former Prime Minister David Cameron to offer support against “unfair tax competition”.

Nick Jones, Newcastle Airport’s chief executive, reiterated the feeling, saying the site shouldn’t be made to operate in an imbalanced environment.

He added: “We would urge the Government to agree a national solution.

“That way, we’ve got a fair system without market distortions and a level playing field throughout the UK.”

The calls have also found support from Peel Airports, which oversees Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA).

The site was recently included on a provisional Westminster list for new domestic flights into an expanded Heathrow, which could see DTVA join the base’s network by 2030.

However, bosses have said issues around APD could cloud the airport’s shortterm progress.

Speaking previously, a spokesman added: “At a time when there is rightly a focus on boosting regional growth outside London, reducing APD for Scotland will put airports in the North under further competitive strain.”