The Spanish airport authority, AENA, is planning to raise airport taxes and aerial navigation charges by an average of 10.2%.
Airlines claim the increase is ‘exorbitant’ and will affect tourism, AENA state that even with the increase the airport, charges in Spain will be 43.5% cheaper than in the rest of Europe.
AENA cites the example of a 115 seat aircraft arriving in Madrid or Barcelona. Arriving from within the EU, the airline has to pay €1,798, whereas in London, Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt, the cost would be €4,756. Arriving from outside the EU, the airline would have to pay €2,198 in Madrid, whereas in London, Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt the cost would be €8,904.
Barcelona with 22.08% and Madrid with 17.05% would see the biggest increases.