The boss of Aberdeen International Airport has said plans to slash travel taxes would “significantly benefit” the city and the north-east.
Carol Benzie claimed a reduction in air passenger duty (APD) would help to “not only attract new routes, but also retain existing ones”.
The managing director of Aberdeen International Airport said the tax was a “strong lever” which could help the terminal bounce back amid declining business travel to the north-east.
She said: “In a time where Aberdeen, as a region, and as a consequence the airport, are seeing a decline in business travellers and therefore business tourism, it becomes even more critical for us to be in a position to offer a cost-effective option to access this part of the country.
“From an Aberdeen perspective, in order to make air travel into and out of the city as cost-effective as possible and to continue to persuade business and leisure travellers to come here, I view APD as a strong lever.
“I genuinely believe that a reduction in APD could see significant benefit to Aberdeen in our desire to not only attract new routes, but also to retain existing ones.”
The tax, which is due to be devolved, has become a contentious election issue in recent weeks.
Scottish Labour has branded any reduction in APD “regressive”, suggesting it would only benefit wealthy travellers and would also damage the environment.
But the SNP has pledged to slash it by at least 50% – with a view to abolishing it altogether.
Aberdeen Donside MSP Mark McDonald said Ms Benzie’s comments were evidence that reducing ADP would “boost the city”.
He said: “The SNP has long supported a reduction in APD to boost tourism, retain existing flight routes and secure new direct routes.
“I welcome the response from Aberdeen Airport which backs this position and demonstrates that a cut would provide a boost to the city.
“Now that APD is – finally – going to be devolved, the SNP has committed to a 50% reduction from 2018, with a view to scrapping it completely when finances allow.
“This will allow us to attract some of the 500,000 visitors that currently choose destinations where APD is not charged rather than travelling to Scotland.”