REQUEST TO ABOLISH AIR PASSENGER DUTY ON FLIGHTS BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.

The Humble Petition of electors and citizens of the United Kingdom

Sheweth

That, believing good transport links between and within the Union of the United Kingdom of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, are essential to preserving the integrity of the Kingdom, believes the imposition of air passenger duty on flights between Northern Ireland and Great Britain has (i). resulted in considerably higher fares for all passengers (particularly families and groups travelling together); (ii). deterred much-needed inward investment and job-creation in Northern Ireland; (iii). threatened routes between Northern Ireland airports and smaller regional airports in England, Scotland and Wales; and (iv). above all else, placed Northern Ireland at a crying disadvantage with the rest of the U.K., given the Province's geographical position on the periphery of the United Kingdom and the limited alternative means of travelling between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, compared to travelling between and within England, Scotland and Wales.

Wherefore your petitioners pray that your Honourable House will press the Chancellor of the Exchequer to (i). act to exempt flights between Great Britain and Northern Ireland from air passenger duty; (ii). give serious consideration to either constructing - or subsidising the construction of - a fixed rail and/or road link between Scotland and Northern Ireland as an alternative to travelling between Northern Ireland and Great Britain by air or sea; and (iii). simultaneously act to increase investment in rail and road infrastructure between Larne and Belfast, and London and Stranraer, to safeguard the Stranraer to Larne sea route as an alternative means of travel to flying, in order to secure the maintenance of good transport links between and within all the component parts of the United Kingdom.

And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc.