BARIG criticises airline charges change at Frankfurt Airport

December 5, 2016

The Board of Airline Representatives in Germany (BARIG) has criticised the decision on Friday by the Hessian Ministry of Economics, Transport and Regional Development to increase airline charges at Frankfurt Airport.

BARIG says the fresh fee structure still provides incentives for new airlines starting operations from the airport, which “places established airlines at a disadvantage”.

BARIG adds Frankfurt is already one of the most expensive airports, and has additionally increased its charges for landing and take-off, while charges at other large airports are decreasing, such as in London and Amsterdam.

BARIG’s secretary general, Michael Hoppe says: “We will closely analyse the decision made today by the Hessian Ministry. We believe that the new charges catalogue discriminates established airlines that have been operating from Frankfurt Airport for many years. Fair competition is thereby impossible. Instead, a predatory competition with unpredictable consequences is initiated.”

BARIG represents around 100 national and international airlines.

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.