Heathrow Airport must reduce its passenger charges amid a surge in demand for flights, the aviation regulator has announced. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the cap on the west London airport’s average charge per passenger will fall from £30.19 today to £26.31 in 2026.
This is equivalent to nearly a 6% reduction each year when the effects of inflation are removed, according to the regulator. The decision follows a bitter dispute between the airport and airlines about what the cap should be.
Charges are paid by airlines but are generally passed on to passengers in air fares. Heathrow was given permission to increase its average fees on January 1 from the previous level of £19.60 due to the collapse in passenger numbers caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
