Confirmation of Scottish government plans to halve Air Passenger Duty has been welcomed by airline trade body the British Air Transport Association (Bata).
Ministers in Scotland plan reduction and reform of the air tax as part of devolution plans and last month established a Scottish APD stakeholder forum.
The publication of the Scottish government’s programme for government 2015-16 yesterday saw it initially commit to cutting the tax by 50% when a Scottish version of APD is introduced in 2018.
The Edinburgh government said: "We will reduce the burden of APD by 50% with the reduction beginning when we introduce a Scottish APD in 2018, with a view to abolishing it completely when resources allow.
“We are currently consulting with stakeholders on the best way to apply that reduction across new and existing routes.
“We are committed to replacing APD with a more competitive regime that better supports our goal of boosting international connectivity and business growth.
“We have established a forum, with membership from the airline industry, Scotland's airports, environmental groups, business organisations and tax professionals.
“This forum will support the development of our policy proposals, including helping us to shape a policy consultation on a Scottish APD which we plan to launch this October.
“The Scottish parliament will be able to legislate for a replacement Scottish tax only once the new Scotland Bill has been passed by the UK parliament.”
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