SNP ministers are poised to team up with the Tories in an attempt to slash taxes for families and businesses flying in and out of Scotland.
Murdo Fraser, the shadow finance secretary, unveiled plans to remove Air Passenger Duty (APD) on flights further than 2,000 miles when it is devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
He argued such a move would incentivise airlines to provide new direct links from Scotland to America, China and other global destinations and reduce the need for families and businesses to travel through London’s airports.
Aberdeen Airport welcomed the Conservative commitment, while the Scottish Government said it “look(s) forward to persuading parliament as a whole on this”.
Other parties roundly rebuffed the Tories’ move, with Labour branding it a “Brexit inspired U-turn” that “makes a mockery of Ruth Davidson’s claims to be a strong opposition”.
Mr Fraser said: “It is more important than ever to use these powers to go global, so we can create new jobs, deliver more opportunities, and build a stronger economy.
“Abolishing APD for long-haul flights has the potential to do just that for Scotland. Airlines will be incentivised to put on new direct long-haul flights from Scotland.
“This is a win-win. It makes thing more convenient for travellers, it helps with our carbon footprint by reducing the number of connecting flights, and it will boost tourism and trade.”
A spokesman for AGS Airports Limited, which owns Aberdeen International, welcomed the announcement.
He added: “In making this call, the Scottish Conservatives have clearly acknowledged that APD is a barrier to growth and whilst the announcement is certainly a step in the right direction, it must go hand-in-hand with action on domestic and European connectivity which is absolutely key to the Scottish economy.”
In its 2016 election manifesto, the SNP pledged to half APD, starting in April 2018 and being delivered in full by 2021.
It also added: “Air Passenger Duty will be abolished entirely when resources allow.”
Scottish Labour’s Transport Spokesman Neil Bibby said: “This Brexit inspired U-turn makes a mockery of Ruth Davidson’s claims to be a strong opposition barely six months after the Scottish Parliament elections.
“It’s not surprising that rather than presenting a strong opposition to the SNP government, the Tories are getting set to do a backroom deal with the SNP to give a tax cut that will disproportionately benefit the people at the top.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “This is a move in the right direction and we look forward to persuading Parliament as a whole on this. UK APD has been the most expensive tax of its kind in Europe and continues to act as a barrier to Scotland’s ability to secure new direct international services and maintain existing ones.”
