AIRPORT taxes across Spain could be scrapped by next year, the central government announced yesterday.

Minister of Public Works José Blanco (pictured) announced that airport duties would be frozen in 2010 “until the economy shows signs of growth.”

Additionally, airports in the Balearics, the Canary Islands and Melilla will be given a 30 per cent bonus.

This tax bonus was previously 15 per cent, but will double when a new law covering airports is passed.

The draft of the law will be discussed next week in Parliament and is hoped to be in force by July 1.

Airlines that increase their passenger numbers in the second quarter of this year will be given tax bonuses, Blanco reveals.

He says flight companies are very pleased with the move, which is aimed at giving the flagging tourism industry a boost.