IATA boss slams ‘monopoly’ Heathrow fee hikes

Published on Monday, October 18, 2021

IATA chief Willie Walsh has again criticised Heathrow’s plans to hike landing fees by 90%.

Walsh says it could cost families flying from Heathrow nearly £100 extra contrary to what the airport says.

Walsh says the proposals are ‘outrageous’.

 “Heathrow must understand that gouging its customers is not the road to recovery, for itself, the airlines, travel and tourism jobs, or travellers,” Walsh says.

He called on the government to ‘get serious’ in limiting airport fee hikes.

Walsh says shareholders should share the pain with reduced dividends and not further burdening passengers with higher fares.

“Only a monopoly could behave like this.”

The airport plans to hike charges from £19.36 to £37.63.

Airlines add these costs to the price of tickets, which could cost families an additional £100.

The Civil Aviation Authority is set to make a decision on the proposal soon.