Airlines hit out at Gatwick’s new business plan
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
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events