European Union countries should create national regulators to settle disputes between airports and airlines over takeoff and landing fees, the EU executive proposed today.
The European Commission presented draft legislation that seeks to make airport charges more transparent and non-discriminatory. It requires EU airports to consult with airlines about their fees, which industry body IATA says are among the most expensive in the world.
"Everything we've done here is designed to bring down the costs of airport fees and, hence, the costs of travelling by air for passengers," Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said.
The rules, which will apply to airports with more than a million passenger movements or 25,000 tonnes of cargo a year, do not set a specific calculation method for determining fees.
They would require airports to detail their overall cost structures and show airlines how charges are determined. Disputes could then be brought before separate independent bodies established by the EU's 27 member states.
Airlines said they were disappointed the commission did not set a cap on the fees, while airports complained the rules could hurt their ability to compete.