EasyJet calls for judicial review over Gatwick charges
EasyJet has called for a judicial review over the Civil Aviation Authority’s price setting for charges to airline at Gatwick over the next five years.
The budget carrier is taking the unprecedented step because it claims the regulatory body acted unlawfully in agreeing Gatwick owner BAA to raise charges by 21% this year and by more than 31% by 2013.
The Administrative Court of the High Court is likely to decide within six to eight weeks whether the CAA has a substantive case to answer, according to the airline, one of Gatwick’s biggest users.
If it decides the authority has, a final decision is likely by the end of the year.
EasyJet chief executive Andy Harrison, , said: “This is the first time that the CAA has been subject to judicial review for a regulatory price decision.
“We are taking the action because we believe that the CAA acted unlawfully in agreeing an obscene increase in passenger fees at Gatwick Airport over the coming five years and, specifically, ignored the recommendations of the Competition Commission, which proposed a much tougher regulatory settlement on BAA.
“In due course we hope that the Government’s review of UK airport regulation will bring about much-needed change by allowing genuine and effective inter-airport and inter-terminal competition at the major London airports.
“In the meantime we will continue to stand up for the consumer by opposing what we see as the CAA’s overly-generous attitude towards BAA.”
by Phil Davies
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