Brussels, 19/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - There appears to be a European “patchwork” of airport charges, despite the Community directive (2009/12/EC) that was supposed to provide a uniform definition of these costs. In a report published on Monday 19 May, the European Commission highlights the uneven level of application of the rules in 75 European airports that operate these charges.
Charges. These taxes are fees airlines pay to airports for the use of runways and terminals. Airport charges are estimated to account for up to 10% of airlines' operating costs, which are ultimately paid by passengers as part of the ticket price. These fees have a crucial impact on competition between airlines because the level of these airport taxes is a decisive factor for airlines, especially low-cost companies, on whether they use these airports to fly from.
Common principles. The European directive outlines a common framework for applying these charges and stipulates that airports regularly consult airlines about fees, as well as showing transparency and non-discrimination when these taxes are introduced. Moreover, member states will have to set up their own airport tax monitoring groups. The report illustrates that respect for directive requirements varies from one member state to the next.
Shortcomings. The airlines are critical of the fact these monitoring bodies are not fully independent and according to the study, lack expertise. Consultation procedures are also criticised by the airlines in Spain, Italy, Greece and Hungary, in particular, where the response time granted is deemed to be too short. The small airports also admit that they have experienced difficulties with administrative charges and the consultations required, although the bigger airports such as Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris, Heathrow and Frankfurt appear to be satisfied with the European framework on this subject. Respect for the principle of transparency in establishing the charges would also leave much to be desired, according to airlines in Italy, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Cyprus, Lithuania, Spain, Sweden and Finland. The British airports and Amsterdam Schiphol have reportedly done well, however. As regards non-discrimination, regional and low-cost airlines reportedly believe that the modulation of tariffs as an incentive to increase traffic is controversial.
Forum. As the interpretation of the European directive varies widely from one state to another - and indeed from one airport to another - the Commission is setting up a forum of regulators for airport charges. The stakeholders will be able to discuss problems relating to the application of this directive. The first meeting of this platform will be held in Thessaloniki on 13 June under the Greek Presidency. (MD)