The heads of British Airways parent company IAG and Virgin Atlantic, along with other industry representatives, have called for a fundamental review of Heathrow Airport by the British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). In an open letter to the government and regulators, they criticize the high fees and inefficient spending at the London hub. The planned expansion with a third runway will further increase costs for passengers and airlines.
Heathrow is already considered one of the most expensive airports in the world, and the infrastructure has not kept pace with the rising fees, the letter states. Over the past 20 years, more than 15 billion pounds have been invested, yet the quality of service has declined. While other large European airports such as Munich, Frankfurt and Madrid have modernized cost-effectively, the construction costs at Heathrow were disproportionately high.
Aviation chiefs warn that the planned expansion could further exacerbate past failures. They are calling for a reform of the regulatory model to ensure efficient and cost-effective development of the airport. The British government supports Heathrow's expansion because the airport plays a central role in international air traffic and the country's economy. However, critics see a risk that the high fees could make London less attractive as a hub in the long term.
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