Major European airlines have hit out at the “inadequate” and “ineffective” EU directive around airport charges.
Airline lobby group A4E wants airport charges to be cost-related, efficient and non-discriminatory. It said in its current form, the EU Airports Charges Directive has “fallen well short” of its objectives to protect airport users and stop abuses of market power.
The concerns were raised at an aviation briefing, attended by European airports and civil aviation authorities, and hosted by MEP Wim van de Camp.
“In its current state, the Directive is inadequate and ineffective in protecting airport users and consumers from airports’ abuses of their market power, notably in the process for setting airport charges,” said Thomas Reynaert, managing director of A4E.
“Airport charges account for up to 20% of airlines’ total cost. In order to protect the interests of passengers and for consumers to enjoy value for money, it is vital that charges are justified and linked to efficient costs.”
A4E said that “unnecessary investments” as well as operational and cost inefficiencies have all resulted in increasing airport charges. It added that the Directive fails to provide transparency over costs and revenues.
MEP van de Camp said: “I fully support the constructive engagement between airports and airlines that is proposed by A4E and the balanced approach to create more effective transparency over costs and revenues with regard to airports. In order to do this, we will now have to use the evaluation of the Commission to get the real facts on the table. In this context, we must take into account the present functioning of the market.”
A4E launched in January this year with the aim of promoting the interests of European airlines. The lobby group members’ include Ryanair, Easyjet, IAG and Air France KLM.
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