Charges and fees at Dublin Airport for 2012 will remain frozen at this year’s levels, according to operator DAA, in order to keep costs at the Republic of Ireland’s main international air gateway lower than the European average.
“Our pricing will be flat next year, which is good news for passengers and for airlines,” said DAA’s Director of Strategy, Vincent Harrison. “Independent surveys consistently confirm that Dublin Airport’s charges are hugely competitive, and our decision not to increase prices next year means we will continue to offer low prices compared to our peers.”
Charges at Dublin Airport, like other Irish facilities, are governed by the independent Commission for Aviation Regulation, which sets an annual price cap – the average maximum charge per passenger that can be levied. Under the regulator’s formula, there is an increase in next year’s price cap, however DAA has decided not to pass on this increase to passengers and instead overall airport charges will remain flat for 2012.
The airport says, the average passenger charge will be about €10.40 for this year and DAA has proposed that the maximum average charge for 2012 will remain at that level. This is 17 per cent lower than the average €12.50 passenger charge levied in 2009 by comparable European airports such as London Stansted, London Gatwick, Brussels, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Zurich, Vienna, Munich, and Oslo, according to DAA.
The proposals for 2012 include some rebalancing within the overall basket of charges to address the fact that demand is weaker during off-peak periods. The rebalancing will see airport charges reduced in the winter and increased by a lesser amount in the summer.
“While certain parties will always claim otherwise, the facts show that Dublin Airport’s charges are hugely competitive,” said Mr Harrison referring to the out-spoken opinions of based carrier Ryanair. “Our aim is to continue to offer competitive airport charges and highly attractive incentive schemes to our airline customers at Dublin Airport and our plan to keep prices flat for next year is consistent with that approach.”
Aside from competitive passenger charges, DAA is offering what it describes as “generous financial incentives” at Dublin Airport to stimulate the launch of new short-haul and long-haul routes and support the expansion or reinstatement of capacity on markets that are already served.
Last month the Commission for Aviation Regulation said it would cut air traffic control charges levied on airlines by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) by 40 per cent over the next five years in light of low traffic growth forecasts at Irish airports, which are expected to be at 2001 levels in 2013.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the Chief Executive of DAA, Declan Collier, will not be renewing his current contract, which ends in early April 2012, and will take up the role of Chief Executive Officer at London City Airport. “We wish Declan every success in his new role, but are sorry to see him go as the company has been transformed under his stewardship over the past seven years,” said Peter Barrett, on behalf of the Board of DAA.
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