Officials at Holyrood have expressed their desire to lower the tax by 50% from April 2018 before abolishing it entirely.

However, according to the BBC almost half of 160 respondents to a consultation “raised concerns” about the reduction of APD – with worries centred upon the environmental impact that an increase in air travel could have.

To combat doubts, the Scottish government has pledged that "due consideration" will be given to environmental issues following a change in the tax.

Around half of the respondents agreed with the policy objectives.

Finance secretary Derek Mackay said: "UK APD is one of the most expensive taxes of its kind in the world. It continues to act as a barrier to Scotland’s ability to secure new direct international routes and maintain existing ones.

"Our plan, taking into account the responses to the consultations, will be to start reducing the overall burden of a new tax in Scotland from April 2018, implement a 50% reduction in full by the end of the current Scottish Parliament, and then abolish the tax entirely when public finances allow.

"This is a fundamental component of our efforts to boost Scotland’s economy through improving international connectivity and generating sustainable growth."

Echoing Mackay’s comments, Liz Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, believed Scotland’s political parties should back the proposals, which were an "essential measure for economic growth".

However, the Scottish Greens, who have vocally opposed the proposals, called on the Scottish government to rethink.

Greens MSP, Andy Wightman said: "It’s disappointing that the finance minister is not heeding the concerns being expressed in this consultation.

"The Scottish government seems intent on pressing ahead but there is clearly not a majority in parliament for scrapping APD.

"Ministers would do well to consider ways to use the new tax powers to promote social justice rather than simply giving a tax break to an already under-taxed heavily-polluting industry and wealthy frequent fliers."

In addition, Scottish Labour also called for the APD proposals to be scrapped.

Transport spokesperson Neil Bibby said: "Labour have argued for years that cutting APD won’t make Scotland fairer or greener.

"An APD cut is the wrong priority at the wrong time, and now the SNP government’s own consultation agrees with us. This is a major embarrassment for the SNP."