Fri, Jul 11, 2008
Group Says Agency Signed Off On Two-Tier Fees System
Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) commended
the Department of Transportation (DOT) Thursday for clarifying its
1996 policy statement on airport rates and charges. The revised
policy will provide greater flexibility to operators of congested
airports, by allowing those airports to charge two different ranges
of fees to fight overlapping flight schedules.
"We’re pleased that Secretary Peters has recognized that
airport proprietors are in the best position to manage the use of
the facilities they planned, financed, built and currently operate.
They can effectively work with the airlines to develop rates and
charges that address congestion and passenger inconvenience and
take into consideration unique local circumstances," said ACI-NA
President Greg Principato.
The airport advocacy group says DOT's amendments to its "Policy
Regarding the Establishment of Airport Rates and Charges" --
published in the Federal Register on June 21, 1996 ("1996 Rates and
Charges Policy") -- confirm the ability of airports to implement
two-tier pricing. Additionally, congested airports are now
permitted to use landing fees to provide incentives to airlines to
use the airport at less congested times or to use alternate
airports to meet regional air service needs.
ACI-NA and its member airports continue to work with airlines to
enhance operational and financial efficiency and respond to
capacity reductions. However, airports must also plan for the
long-term needs of passengers and expand capacity as appropriate to
accommodate the more than 1 billion passengers expected to travel
by air in 2015.
The group adds it continues to support the use of new air
traffic control technologies and procedures to relieve existing
problems of congestion and delay.
ACI-NA believes that DOT's policy revisions will effectively
combine with other policies that recognize the importance of
promoting competition and providing service to small communities;
these are essential components of any program designed to align
demand with capacity at congested airports.
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