article_snippet: A report from the House of Commons Transport Committee said the success of the UK's smaller airports are being held back by the existence of the APD, one of the world's biggest's heftiest departure taxes.
article_snippet: MPs said that Northern Ireland was suffering in terms of jobs, growth and connectivity as aviation taxes were higher than in the Republic of Ireland.
article_snippet: A report from the House of Commons Transport Committee said the success of the UK's smaller airports are being held back by the departure tax, which is one of the largest in the world .
article_snippet: The committee said: 'We found that APD is the principal threat to the smaller airports sector. '
article_snippet: a report commissioned by Edinburgh Airport covered around 40 smaller airports ranging in size from Newcastle, which handled 4.4 million passengers in 2013, to Lydd in Kent which handled 1,000 .
article_snippet: But the smaller airports sector - which is vital to people and businesses in the regions - is limited by APD.
article_snippet: Transport ministers must stand up for smaller airports and make the case to the Treasury that APD squeezes jobs, growth and connectivity.'
article_snippet: a report commissioned by Edinburgh Airport covered around 40 smaller airports ranging in size from Newcastle, which handled 4.4 million passengers in 2013, to Lydd in Kent which handled 1,000.
article_snippet: Airport Operators Association chief executive Darren Caplan said: 'The past few years have been tough for many of our smaller members. '
article_snippet: Reducing APD is the single biggest thing that could enable airports to attract new routes and increase their passenger numbers.
highlights_snippet: Airport Passenger Duty departure tax is one of the world's biggest .
  
highlights_snippet: MPs said smaller airports are the biggest loser due to Airport Passenger Duty departure tax .
  