Abta launches flights

Abta is urging British people to take action against the government's plans to increase air passenger duty APD which it claims will lead to flights to the Caribbean and other long-haul destinations becoming unaffordable.The UK will see an influx of visitors from the Caribbean over the coming days ahead of the Notting Hill Carnival, which will be held in London over the bank holiday weekend.

According to Abta, the government's planned increases in APD will have a 'dramatic effect' on the cost of flying to the Caribbean, potentially putting the region out of reach for people with friends and family there.The travel association claims that the EU Emissions Trading Scheme is a 'fairer and more efficient' way of tackling environmental concerns than tax hikes.

'These APD increases will have a terrible impact on the cost of flying to see family and other loved ones both going to and coming from the Caribbean,' said Mark Tanzer, chief executive of Abta.They will also discourage tourists from visiting the islands with potentially devastating effects on local economies at an already difficult economic time.

Travellers were encouraged to write to their MP or sign an online petition on the Number 10 website to oppose the planned tax increases.cheap flights, hotels and car hire let the journey begin.