The ruling Scottish National Party wants to cut APD by 50% between 2018 and 2021 following the decision to devolve the aviation tax from Westminster.

A 12-week public consultation is due to close today (June 3) – it has been looking at how a Scottish replacement for APD should be structured to help improve Scotland’s international air connectivity and also the environmental impact of any changes.

The Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) group has called for the SNP to drop its plan to cut APD because it is “inconsistent with attempts to reduce emissions and meet climate change targets”.

SCCS chairman Tom Ballantine said: “The Scottish government’s own analysis shows that its plan to cut APD by 50% could result in up to an extra 60,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases reaching the atmosphere each year.”

This call for a change of policy from the SNP on APD has also been backed by the Scottish Labour and Liberal Democrats

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: “Cutting APD would be a regressive step that would increase carbon emissions. It won’t make Scotland fairer or greener.”

Airports in northern England, such as Newcastle, have warned they could lose out if APD is reduced for flights from Scottish airports.