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Heathrow defends ‘disproportionate’ fee hikes
Heathrow Airport bosses have defended the reputed £5 billion windfall expected from its proposed inflation-busting airport fee hikes.
Airlines slammed Heathrow for price gouging, giving it ‘at least £5 billion more than needed.’
The WPI Economics report, commissioned by airlines, claims it over-estimates future operating costs and under-estimates commercial revenue by hundreds of millions.
The hike is ‘disproportionate ’and ‘puts shareholders above consumers and the economy’ the report says.
The report was commissioned by BA, Virgin Atlantic and IATA.
“The Government must act to ensure that its global Britain and levelling up agendas are not jeopardised by an unjustified regulatory decision.”
Heathrow responded by calling the report ‘so flawed it is embarrassing.’
“Airlines appear less interested in giving passengers a reliable journey and more interested in protecting their own profits,” a Heathrow spokesman said.
Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic said: “Already the most expensive airport in Europe, Heathrow is abusing its monopoly position to fleece passengers.”
It is a ‘desperate attempt to downplaying the recovery of travel, to justify a massive increase in charges.’
“The CAA must step up to fulfil its primary duty to consumers, by regulating a monopoly.”
The CAA is expected to publish its final proposals for the price control on overall airport charges next month.
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