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.

FMI: www.dot.gov, www.aci-na.org