IAA issues statement regarding fees

In an obvious reply to Ryanair's contention that a 12% increase in ATC fees to be implemented this summer is a contributory factor in the airline's proposed reduction in Dublin base capacity, the IAA has issued a statement to clarify it's position.

" The IAA's Terminal ATC charges are independently set by the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR). The determination is made on a five year basis and regularly reviewed.  All Airline customers at Dublin Airport etc. had an opportunity to make submissions on the determination.  The five year determination was made by the CAR in March 2007 and published on the CAR website under reference CP4/2007.  The rates for the five years to 2012 were advised to the IAA as part of that process and some assumptions upon which the determination is made are also reviewed periodically by CAR.

The Authority continues " The IAA has always followed the independent determination of the Commission for Aviation Regulation.  The IAA, in common with other regulated entities, makes submissions to the CAR concerning each five year pricing cycle and we did this in 2007 and this was published", adding  "Any operators decision to expand or restrict its activities must be viewed in the broader economic climate where airlines worldwide are reducing capacity and taking aircraft out of service."

At least the IAA and Ryanair are now on the same hymn sheet in that both consider that the buck stops with the Regulator !