THE head of the region’s largest airport has urged the Government to follow the lead of the Netherlands by scrapping airport taxes.

David Laws, chief executive of Newcastle International Airport, said the taxes were the single greatest threat for the future of flights from the North-East to London.

He said some routes would experience a doubling in air passenger duty in the next two years.

Speaking at the North-East Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting, Mr Laws called on the Government to emulate their Dutch counterparts who performed a taxation U-turn after recognising the severe impact it would have on the performance of Schiphol Airport.

Mr Laws said: “The single most important thing to protect flights into London is to abolish air passenger duty.”

He added that the creation of a third runway at Heathrow would be beneficial, but only if the Government ring-fenced flights to the regional airports.

The Northern Echo launched its Keep the Region Flying campaign three month ago after bmi axed its service from Durham Tees Valley to Heathrow.

The move caused an outcry from business groups and MPs, who see the link as vital to the prosperity of the region.