Airlines protest over new departure tax
25.03.07
Budget airline Flybe is demanding showdown talks with Norwich Airport to protest about a new £3 terminal tax for passengers, the Eastern Daily Press newspaper reports. Holiday airline First Choice is also unhappy, and has complained to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) about the tax.
Norwich Airport bosses are facing mounting anger both from passengers and the industry at the proposed 'airport development fund' (ADF) charge that is to be introduced next week (April 2). Under the plans all outbound passengers will pay £3 with a £1 charge for children aged between two and 15 years old.
Passengers will be forced to put the ticket into a barrier gate in order to get through to the departure lounge. Anyone refusing to pay the tax will not be allowed to take their flight.
But the move, aimed at helping to fund the airport's £18m expansion plans, has sparked uproar in the industry and fears that airlines will turn to non-fee paying airports instead - putting jobs at risk and forcing passengers to fly from airports such as Stansted, the newspaper claims.
Holiday airline First Choice, also unhappy at the plans, has complained to the CAA about the new tax. It is concerned that airlines could face compensation claims from passengers who refuse to pay the charge and are denied boarding.
The airport insists it has given airlines plenty of notice about the new tax. It added that the fund - and therefore the tax - was likely to last indefinitely and not be terminated when the development work is completed.
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