West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed measures which will see a reduction in flight prices for Worcestershire travellers. The measure, unveiled in the Budget earlier this year, will see duty cut for business passengers and tourists. Air passenger duty is a tax paid by airlines and is typically passed on to customers within ticket costs. The reduction will mean that it should reduce the cost of long-haul flights and make it easier for businesses to explore trade opportunities with key growth markets such as India and China. Sports fans hoping to visit the World Cup or the Rio Olympics will also benefit from this duty cut. Harriett commented: “The air passenger duty reduction will be of great interest to growing local companies who are looking to export to markets outside of Europe. “Our long-term economic plan is to help make it easier for business to grow and cheaper air travel is an important step forward. “The Government is keen to support regional airports and I’m hopeful that this measure will help the Birmingham airport to expand and offer more flights to key business destinations. “Sport fans will also see this as a boost, making their trips to support the England football team in Brazil this summer, and our Olympians in 2016, a little cheaper. “Air travel is increasingly part of our lives so I hope this measure will be welcomed by local people as they travel abroad either for leisure or business.”