Chief executive Saad Hammad acknowledged that it was unlikely that the tax, which is much-hated by the airline industry, would be abolished completely but called on it to be “amended in a fiscally neutral manner to deliver an economic benefit to the UK regions”.

The Scottish government has previously said it would look to cut APD by 50% and Hammad wants the same thing to happen at regional airports. It would be paid for by increases at London airports, such as Heathrow and Gatwick.

“The benefits of APD reform as proposed by Flybe are manifold. First, it would provide a more level playing field between regional and international travellers and assist the development of regional airports and economies, particularly in light of the uncertainty after the referendum vote to leave the EU,” Hammad said.

“It would also remove potential market distortions and risks of unfairness on passengers in England from APD devolution and reduction in Scotland and Wales.

“Finally, it would provide an economic incentive for the immediate use of spare runway capacity available today at regional airports neighbouring London such as Birmingham Airport, given new runway capacity at either Heathrow or Gatwick could take more than a decade to come on stream if it is ever approved.”