Some good news for a change.

The BBGA has been making efforts with other organisations to avoid the imposition of a 30p per litre increase in fuel duty following the European Commission decision late last year to end the derogation the UK had previously enjoyed from the EU Energy Directive.

Her Majesties Revenue and Customs has now issued a consultation on the matter and in general the preferred options are in line with the lobbying activity. The position is, for AVGAS, the establishment of a separate line item in the budget for AVGAS separate from leaded motor fuel, which allows duty to be set at the EU minimum rather than at the same rate as for motor fuel. This would result in an approximate increase in duty of 2p per litre rather than 30p.

For JET A1 the situation is a little more complicated but basically the use of JET A1 for “private pleasure” use would require an “honesty declaration” by the user. The description of “private pleasure” may need some work but it already excludes all corporate aviation and flight training.

This is only the consultation so this result is not yet confirmed but I hope this paves the way for a significant victory for BBGA and the other representative bodies involved in avoiding devastating increases in duty for our industry.
Comments you have might have on the consultation should be sent to your own representative association as soon as possible in order to formulate a consolidated industry response.

The consultation can be found at –

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsP…E_PROD1_027787

It seems that the response from the PM’s office was less than positive. At least in my own opinion. Now it is up to all of us to support the efforts of our associations.

Cheers,

Trapper 69
🙂