Heathrow Airport has claimed that Rishi Sunak’s tourist tax is undermining Britain’s position as a global transport hub. Britain’s biggest airport criticised the decision taken by Mr Sunak when he was chancellor to scrap tax-free shopping for international visitors, in addition to a £10 charge for visa-exempt passengers arriving in the UK that was introduced last year. These measures are “curtailing the UK’s global connectivity”, Heathrow said. The airport announced it was on track for its busiest year on record after passenger numbers rose by 4.8pc last month to 6.7 million. It also enjoyed its busiest day since October 2019 when 1,337 planes either took off or landed at the airport on Friday, 19 April 2024. However, Thomas Woldbye, chief executive, warned: “To unlock our full potential to help grow the country’s economy, we need the Government to implement policies that support UK aviation’s ability to compete globally.” Nationals from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are now required to pay a £10 fee when they change flights at Heathrow or enter the UK for a limited period without a legal residence or visa. The electronic travel authorisation scheme, introduced last November, is due...