Dublin Airport in 26% passenger charge hike

THE Aviation Regulator has given the green light to a 26% increase in passenger charges at Dublin Airport next year, on condition that the controversial second terminal (T2) is completed.

This would push the maximum revenue per passenger at the capital’s airport to €9.32, or €8.93 if T2 is not completed. The current maximum the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) can collect on each passenger is €7.39.

Dublin Chamber of Commerce welcomed the decision, saying that the real problem is additional surcharges applied by individual airlines and the Government that drive up travel costs and drive away tourists. It added that the €10 travel tax on passengers flying out of Dublin should be abolished.

Chambers Ireland added that airlines “must be part of the solution on delivering required infrastructure investments, such as Terminal 2, that will benefit all users of Dublin Airport in the future”.

However, yesterday’s decision has, unsurprisingly, provoked the ire of Ryanair.

“Airports all over the UK and Continental Europe are lowering charges, in some case to zero, to attract tourism growth and protect jobs. Only in Ireland can a hapless government regulator sanction a 41% increase in airport charges (taking in the €10.44 cap for 2011) for a government-owned airport monopoly, at the express instruction of the corrupt Department of Transport,” said the airline’s chief spokesman Stephen McNamara.

The DAA’s reply was that the charges offer value for money.