Airlines seek tax waiver during war
In a joint appeal, more than 90 airlines flying into Britain have asked Gordon Brown to cancel tax on air tickets until three months after the war with Iraq.
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The call came as transport minister John Spellar is in discussion with his European counterparts about emergency help for airlines.
The appealing airlines include British Airways, American Airlines, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines.
The government currently levies £5 on economy tickets in Europe and £20 on long distance flights. Whitehall sources say Britain is sceptical about a need for help, the Guardian reported today.
They have also called on BAA to delay a 9% rise in charges at Heathrow to be implemented on Tuesday. It is thought to be unlike that BAA will agree to postpone its increase.