BAA ‘discrimination’ riles foreign carriers
American Airlines has introduced a £3 levy on Heathrow flights amid claims that BAA is discriminating against foreign airlines in the way fuel is rationed at the airport.
The carrier says is must add the charge to help make up the £11,000 it is losing per day as a result of a shortage of fuel at Heathrow.
The shortage follows the fire at Buncefield oil depot in December which supplied the airport with 35% of its fuel.
According to reports, anger is mounting among foreign carriers that BAA is discriminating against visiting carriers by allowing UK aircraft to fill up with more fuel.
While overseas carriers have been told they can only fill up with 40% of their usual allocation for short haul flights and 70% for long haul, UK carriers can collect 55% and 82% respectively.
Some long haul carriers, including Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, are having to make additional stops because of the shortage while Qantas has been calling at Stansted before leaving Britain.
A spokesman for American Airlines told the Guardian: “It’s distorting the market. It’s adding costs to foreign carriers which won’t be borne out by British ones.”
South African Airlines has also lodged a complaint, with chief executive Khaya Ngqula insisting he would “aggressively negotiate a solution.”
BAA defended its position, stressing Heathrow could become gridlocked if Heathrow-based aircraft weren’t provided with additional supplies. It said it is trying to replenish supplies by bringing in more fuel by road and rail.
Report by Steve Jones
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