Airlines have accused Gatwick of using ‘smoke and mirrors’ as the airport unveiled a new business plan this week.
Major airline customers of the London airport said Gatwick still holds too much power and put pressure on the Civil Aviation Authority to continue to regulate it.
"All the evidence shows that Gatwick is a monopoly airport and therefore should continue to be regulated," said an easyJet spokesman.
"Without regulation passengers face the risk of higher charges."
Yesterday, Gatwick Airport set out proposals for a radical change in the way it operates, claiming it will enable it to respond more quickly to its customers’ needs, improve facilities and service, and keep prices more competitive.
But easyJet said that rather than keeping costs down, the proposals represent an increase of around 60% over five years. Ԭ
"Gatwick Airport’s so called "new deal" is simply smoke and mirrors and these proposals don’t provide value for money for passengers," said a spokesman.
Virgin said instead of investing another £1bn in the airport experience, Gatiwck should be looking at making smart investment decisions to further improve passenger services in a cost effective way.
"In the current economic climate other businesses, in private and public sectors and especially airlines, are making savings and delivering better services to customer at lower prices. Airports should not be exempt from that," it said.
Meanwhile the British Air Transport Association said the CAA must retain the economic regulation of Gatwick, Stansted and Heathrow.
Chief executive Simon Buck said: "The presentation of Gatwick’s price commitments today is an exercise in smoke and mirrors. We do not believe it is in the passenger interest as it does not offer value for money.
"Gatwick’s charges to airlines have increased by almost 50% over the past five years. Today’s announcement proposes a further increase approaching 50% over the next regulatory period, while claiming this is a value for money proposition. We do not accept their arguments and reject their aim of deregulation as this is not in the interests of the travelling public."
The CAA invited Gatwick to propose a ‘Contracts and Commitments Framework’ in October 2012.
It will come to a decision on the initial proposal on 30 April 2013 and make a final decision in January 2014.
by Bev Fearis
