Air traffic costs out of control

摘要

Air traffic service providers continue to raise charges, even in a difficult economic climate. The beleaguered airlines have had enough. Geoff Hearn reports on the levels reached for European air traffic control unit rate charges and what this means for the airlines. Route charges across Europe increased by an average of 11% in 2003, according to Eurocontrol, the body that oversees the charges across 30 European member states. With this increase, airlines will have spent about ?4.7 billion ($4.7 billion) to fly in European airspace in 2003. Many have expressed their anger, but can do little to fight the price rise. The 10.7% increase on the European weighted average comes on the back of a rise in air traffic control (ATC) rates of more than 14% in April 2002. Airlines are particularly angry that the new charges will include considerable price rises from states that already charge the highest unit rates. German route charges will rise 23% from the start of 2003, Swiss 15% and Belgian 12%.