As part of its sincere efforts to further the cause of greener air travel tax, EasyJet has taken out a full page advertisement in several leading newspapers of the nation. The move has put the airline at loggerheads with British Airways and a range of other UK carriers as well.

With effect from 2009 November, the government has pledged to replace the air passenger duty (APD) with an aircraft tax. The treasury is at present working on proposals expected to be launched in the near future. However, British Airways and several other long-haul carriers, however, want to see that the APD is retained. Most cargo firms are opposing the switch. Amidst this background, the US government is cautioning the companies regarding a legal challenge to any attempt towards imposing an aircraft tax.

Presently, APD is excluded on business jets and cargo flights, in addition to being effected on passengers arriving from overseas who have planned to transfer to other UK flights. EasyJet comes out with an idea that transfer passengers, business jets and cargo flights should certainly pay their fair share, like others. Over and above, those aircraft that cause more pollution should pay more.

Chief executive of easyJet, Andy Harrison, observed, "We have a one-off opportunity to make air tax a greener tax. Air tax must encourage airlines to behave more responsibly and no one should get a free ride.

A spokesperson for the airline added, "A tax that penalises families but excludes private jets and cargo and charges passengers travelling to Marrakech the same as those travelling to Melbourne is just plain wrong."