Owing to the economic downturn and excess flying tax slab, Plymouth City Airport is all set to close its operations in December. As per reports, though the airport had produced a 16% rise in cash in the last financial year amid facing dearth in passengers, it had been booted out from air operations.

With the news hitting the market, controversy has been sparked as the British Air Transport Association and the Airport Operators Association have sided with the Plymouth City Airport and launched a scathing attack on Airport Planning and Development (APD) of playing a crucial role in the oust of the airport.

Moreover, Nigel Godefroy, Chief Executive of the Sutton Harbour Group, who owns the airport leasehold claimed, “Plymouth City Airport, like many regional airports in the current environment, is unviable as a commercial enterprise. This has been an incredibly difficult decision given the efforts by so many, including our own staff, to give the airport a future”.

Apparently, AOA Chief Executive, Darren Caplan is of the opinion that double inflation increase in APD along with the entry onto the European emissions trading scheme next year would substantially affect other air links.