Aviation groups face off over Spain airport fee
European airport trade group ACI Europe has hit out against the International Air Transport Association in an ongoing row over Spain airport fees.
ACI Europe calls IATA’s demands unrealistic.
IATA called on Spain airport operator Aena to slash its planned airport fee increases but should continue to fund the planned €13 billion airport and infrastructure upgrades.
IATA wants fees reduced from 2027 through 2031.
ACI Europe says Aena plans to gradually increase fees annually by less than 4%.
The association claims a fee reduction would risk the airport investment plan.
IATA and the Spanish Airline Association recently issued a joint statement demanding a 4.9% reduction in Spanish airport charges between 2027 and 2031.
IATA says AENA has consistently underestimated ‘traffic growth and the excessive regulated returns it has earned during previous regulatory periods.’
“AENA has gamed the regulatory system for years, earning millions of euros more than it should have, at the expense of passengers, airlines, and the Spanish economy,” said Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s Europe VP.
“This must stop. AENA has generated excessive returns through a creative approach to forecasting, and its request for further increases is absurd.”
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