Budget 2021: Rishi Sunak denies air duty cuts will spark flying boom

The chancellor has denied that changes to air passenger duty will lead to a boom in domestic flights amid warnings it will increase carbon emissions. Rishi Sunak used his Budget to slash taxes on flights between airports in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Rachel Reeves said people should be encouraged to use trains instead.Flying within the UK will become cheaper with air passenger duty halved, but the chancellor is also increasing duties on "Ultra long haul" flights. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Sunak said it was important to look at the decision "In the round", alongside the introduction of a new, higher tax band for "Ultra long-haul flights". Rachel Reeves told Today she found it "Astonishing that, the week before COP26, where we are supposed to be showing global leadership, we have cut air passenger duty on domestic flights".

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