London, Oct 19 (Bureau) London’s Heathrow airport will be allowed to raise passenger charges by up to 56 per cent from next summer, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced on Tuesday in a decision that has prompted criticism from the airline industry. In a statement, the aviation regulator said its initial proposal was to increase the cap on charges per passenger from 22 pounds (30 US dollars) last year to between 24.50 and 34.40 pounds following a request from Heathrow to set the price at between 32 and 43 pounds. “While international air travel is still recovering, setting a price control for Heathrow Airport against the backdrop of so much uncertainty means we have to adapt our approach,” CAA chief executive Richard Moriarty was quoted as saying.
Moriarty argued that the regulator’s principal objective is “to further the interests of consumers while recognising the challenges the industry has faced throughout the Covid-19 pandemic”. Although the charges are ultimately paid by the passengers as the airlines add the cost to the price of tickets, the Association of UK Airlines said it will oppose the CAA’s proposal “in the strongest terms”. “The CAA is our last line of defence against a monopoly-abusing hub airport. Monopolies will always try it on and that’s why we need a strong regulator to clamp down on what is blatant gouging. How on earth can it be in the interests of consumers to ramp up charges by as much as 50%?” Airlines UK chief executive officer Tim Alderslade said in a statement. Consultations on the price hike proposal will continue.