Regulator refuses 50% passenger fees hike to pay for new airport terminal

PLANS for a new terminal at Dublin Airport were thrown into disarray last night after the aviation regulator refused to hike passenger charges by 50% to pay for the facility.

The Commission for Aviation Regulation has approved a 23% increase in charges, but the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has warned this is not enough.

The DAA wants fees to rise from €4.97 per passenger to €7.50 to fund its 10-year €1.2 billion investment plan. It says without the new terminal, passengers face years of congestion and overcrowding.