Heathrow to penalise flights with empty seats
Heathrow is to hike charges for airlines flying older aircraft and those with empty seats.
The airport is making the changes as part of a major overhaul of its airline charges designed to make it more competitive with its European rivals.
A spokesman said the overall revenue from fees would stay the same but the structure was being reconfigured to reflect environmental issues.
According to a report in the Financial Times, the airport will put up the minimum departure fee airlines pay from £220 to £1,000.
When it comes to calculating landing charges, aircraft emissions will count for 15% instead of 10%.
Airlines flying quieter aircraft will get discounts, and so too will aircraft carrying transferring passengers.
But charges for domestic flights are going up.
British Airways, Heathrow’s largest user, said although it supported the objectives of the changes, it is concerned about some elements.
“For example, we believe that the increase in passenger charges for domestic customers will result in a decline in passenger numbers from regional airports which is clearly not the objective of the regime change,” said a spokesman.
BA flights account for more than 40% of movements at Heathrow.
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.
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