§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has received representations from the International Air Transport Association or individual foreign airlines regarding the forthcoming increases in navigation, landing and airport handling charges.
§ Mr. Tebbit[pursuant to his reply, 31 January 1980]: I have received representations from a number of different bodies representing airlines operating in this country, and I have agreed to meet a delegation from the International Air Transport Association next week.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will estimate the percentage increase proposed in airport handling charges at Gatwick and Heathrow, respectively; and how these charges will compare with those at Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and New York, respectively.
§ Mr. Tebbit[pursuant to his reply, 31 January 1980] The BAA, which has now submitted its proposals for increased traffic charges for approval, estimates that, in terms of income per passenger, the new charges structure would result in an increase of about 40 per cent. at Heathrow and a little less than 20 per cent. at Gatwick. Comparisons of charges at different international airports will depend upon a number of factors, including current exchange rates, but I have no reason to believe that the BAA's charges 788W will be significantly out of line with comparable charges at other major European airports or charges to airlines using the Port Authority's terminal at Kennedy airport.