Airlines, IATA blast London airport fee rise
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Airlines and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have blasted the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority’s decision to allow costs at London airports to rise by a massive 50% between 2008 and 2013.
In an unusual display of unity, four of the largest airlines operating from the UK, BMI British Midland, EasyJet, Ryanair and Virgin Atlantic, joined forces to call for the break-up of the British Airports Authority London airports monopoly.
The airlines said the “dramatic” price rises at Gatwick and Heathrow showed the system was “broken and needs to be changed”, The Times reported.
“Failure is the only word to describe the CAA’s decision,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
For Heathrow, the CAA has allowed charges per passenger to rise by 23.5% from 1 April 2008, followed by increases of 7.5% plus inflation for each of the following four years. For Gatwick, a similar 21% hike from 1 April will be followed by increases of 2% plus inflation for each of the following four years.
The decision will almost certainly lead to rising ticket prices, the Times said.
“The regulator already allowed a 50% increase between 2003 and 2008 and now the road is being paved with gold for a further 50% increase. Only an out-of-control monopoly could think in such terms,” said Bisignani.
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