Government Increases Minimum Landing Charges Some 300 Percent

GA pilots who want to put their wheels on the ground in Spain will find that minimum landing fees have increased some 300 percent, which AOPA's Spanish branch says is a blow to general aviation in a country where GA is grossly under-developed, even though VFR flying conditions are among the best in Europe.

AOPA Spain has written to the country's Development Minister saying that Spain should be 'the Florida of Europe', but instead it puts every obstacle in the way of the GA pilot. The pilot's organization says the airport network run by the national operator AENA, a de facto monopoly, is severely under-used, partly because of mandatory handling, parking limitations, fuel supply problems and terminal access. And the tripling of landing charges from January 1st has not helped.

The letter seeks high-level negotiations to address issues which, it says, constitute 'a fatal blow to general aviation and aerial work and ensure the continued under-development of the sector' in Spain. Traffic levels are 10 to 20 times lower than those in northern European, and where a healthy GA industry might employ 50,000 people, it remains moribund. The small companies which predominate in GA are severely handicapped, contrary to the recommendations of the Spanish government's own 2007 Strategic Plan for the aviation sector.

The encouragement of GA tourism could be of great benefit to Spain, the letter says, and with the country's uncongested airspace and good weather Spain represents an attractive training option for all of Europe, with benefits which could match those of Florida if the obstacles were overcome.
In concert with the Royal Aero Club of Spain, the Aerial Work Association and the Aviation Schools Association, AOPA will be meeting ANEA officials in an attempt to have the landing charges increase alleviated.

FMI: www.iaopa.eu