The Scottish government decided earlier this month to axe its longstanding plans to replace APD with a new and reduced Air Departure Tax (ADT), citing environmental concerns for the decision.

But airports, travel organisations and business bodies have co-signed a letter to Sturgeon complaining about the lack of consultation by the Scottish government before making the “U-turn” and the “impact it will have on Scotland’s connectivity”.

“Our airports are already reporting a loss of routes and the promised cut in ADT would have provided airlines with the confidence required to invest in Scotland,” said the letter to Sturgeon.

“All of us share your ambitions for Scotland to become a carbon-neutral economy by 2045, however, this decision will do nothing to further that goal. Aviation is a global industry and therefore requires international action to reduce global CO2 emissions.

“In the UK, the aviation industry has already decoupled growth in aviation from growth in emissions and is investing billions of pounds in developing new sustainable aviation fuels for cleaner and quieter aircraft. 

“Given the lack of consultation ahead of the decision on ADT and the lack of recognition of the huge steps the aviation industry is taking to tackle CO2 emissions, we are requesting a joint meeting to better understand how the Scottish government can support an industry that has such an important role to play in strengthening Scotland’s global standing.”

Among the signatories to the letter are AGS Airports, Edinburgh airport, Airlines UK, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, CBI Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.