Baltic Air Charter Association Issues Strong Statement Against New Charges at Heathrow and Gatwick

Released on: March 12, 2008, 9:16 am

Press Release Author: Image Line Communications

Industry: Transportation & Logistics

Press Release Summary: LONDON, 12 March 2008 - The Baltic Air Charter Association
(BACA) and its members are calling for an immediate review of today's decision by
the Civil Aviation Association (CAA) to permit higher landing charges at Heathrow
and Gatwick Airports. BACA is asking the government to quickly hold consultation
meetings with all the interested parties, so that a solution can be found, which
will not be detrimental to the English air industries

Press Release Body: According to Markham Jackson, Chairman and chief spokesperson
for BACA, "After this morning's news I have been receiving a multitude of calls from
members complaining that these charges at Heathrow and Gatwick will result in
disproportionate fare increases for the passengers and customers using these
airports. We feel that there should now be urgent consultation between all
interested parties to discuss this current situation. Any increases or charges
should be thoroughly shelved until the result of such discussions."

Members of the Baltic Air Charter Association (BACA), the world's largest and most
prestigious network for aircharter professionals, have been reacting strongly to the
increase in charges, which the CAA announced today that they will soon be allowing
the British Airports Authority (BAA) to levy at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. The
CAA reports that the charges over the next five years, beginning 1 April 2008, will
rise by 23.5 per cent above inflation in year one and by 7.5 per cent above
inflation each year between 2009 and 2013.

BACA agreed with British Airways (BA), in their most recent comments that the CAA's
decision to allow BAA to ramp up airport charges conclusively demonstrates that the
airport regulation system is failing fast. "This is seen as detrimental
industry-wide" said Jackson.

When the Spanish-owned company Ferrovial purchased the BAA, in a move that left
Ferrovial heavily debt-laden, the CAA indicated that they would not take into
consideration Ferrovial's woeful financials when determining the fees that the BAA
can charge. "Clearly this was ignored" stated Jackson.


Web Site: http://www.baca.org.uk

Contact Details: Sarah A. Chase
Head of PR
Image Line Communications Ltd.
Unit 1A Zetland House
5-25 Scrutton Street
London
EC2A 4HJ

(t) + 44 (0) 20 7689 9009
(f) + 44 (0) 20 7689 8008
(e) pr@imageline.co.uk
www.imageline.co.uk

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