§ 122. Sir S. Summersasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he proposes to take to reduce the deficit on the civil aerodromes administered by his Department.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI agree that further steps must be taken to reduce the deficits which arise from the operation of these aerodromes and the more numerous and more expensive facilities required by modern aircraft. I have therefore decided to increase landing fees and the passenger service charge as soon as possible. Consultations with airlines and others interested have begun.
214WThe revised scales of landing fees are estimated to yield an additional £660,000 for a full year. This increase of some 28 per cent. overall is shared among the carriers broadly in relation to what can reasonably be imposed at present.
The increase in the passenger service charge on the airlines, which has remained unchanged since it was introduced in 1952, amounts to 2s. 6d. per passenger departing from the United Kingdom for destinations abroad. This increase is estimated to yield some £220,000 for a full year.