Airlines launch major offensive against APD

Airline rivals easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways' parent IAG and Virgin Atlantic will put aside their differences today to launch a major offensive against Air Passenger Duty.

Under the slogan 'Axe the Tax', the airlines' chief executives are due to unveil their joint campaign at the London Stock Exchange this morning.

The campaign is being launched just before the Chancellor's Autumn Statement on November 29.

The industry fears George Osborne will announced a sharp rise in APD from next April, which could be double the rate of inflation.

The four airlines will use the campaign to highlight how the rise will impact the UK economy.