THE UK Government has sparked anger by pushing ahead with a rise in tax on flights.

Airport bosses in Glasgow argue the tax puts them at an added disadvantage when trying to introduce new routes as there are already added costs to get to Glasgow.

Chancellor George Osborne, earlier this year announced Air Passenger Duty would rise by 85% in April, but delayed a final decision until after a consultation exercise. That exercise has now been branded "a sham" and blamed for costing tens of thousands of jobs.

On a short-haul European flight the tax will go up from £48 to £52 and on a long-haul flight to Australia it will rise from £340 to £368. Ministers said it was necessary to reduce the deficit and that the aviation industry benefited in other ways.

However airport and airline bosses said the move handed competitors a crucial advantage.

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: "It is deeply concerning, that despite repeated calls for the UK Government to re-consider its approach to Air Passenger Duty, it will forge ahead with its planned increases in next year's budget.

"UK aviation tax rates are the highest of any major European country and APD is already proving a significant barrier to attracting new routes as airlines are opting to place aircraft in destinations with more favourable taxation policies.

"On the question of devolution of APD, Glasgow Airport has always been supportive of this proposal given the Scottish Government's greater appreciation of the role the industry plays in supporting the growth of the Scottish economy."

Leading airlines issued a joint statement. Ryanair, easyJet, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways said: "The Government's consultation on APD has been a sham and a waste of taxpayers' money.

"We are left with a tax that has already cost 25,000 jobs, is doing increasing damage to the prospects for economic recovery, and sends a message to the world that Britain is a difficult place to do business."

They also called for an independent "study of APD's overall economic value and impact".

A Treasury spokesman said that aviation "must play its part in reducing the deficit and restoring the public finances.

"Unlike other European countries, the UK does not levy VAT on domestic flights and aviation fuel is not taxed. The aviation industry will also benefit from the cut in corporation tax."

stewart.paterson@eveningtimes.co.uk