Uniform rules for airport charges

Any differences in airport charges will have to be documented by clear and objective criteria. Independent supervisory authorities of individual EU member states will ensure the inspection for compliance with the rules. The proposed directive thus intends to strengthen not only equal conditions between service operators but also contribute to the protection of consumers.

The European Parliament, however, increased the limit for application of the directive by five times compared to the original proposal of the Commission - the limit being the number of passengers served at a concrete airport and increasing it from one million to five million per year. Simultaneously, the unified system shall be applied to the largest airport in each EU member state regardless of the number of passengers. 

 The deputies also agreed with allowing incentives for opening new routes to the most distant or otherwise disadvantageous destinations.

Further amending proposals arising from the second reading, which took place in late October 2008, concern the prefinancing of investments in airports, interconnection thereof with the policy of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the necessary protective measures.

The Council, however, committed itself in advance to adopt Parliament’s amending proposals so that the final wording of the new directive should not be changed.