Switch to an accessible version of this website which is easier to read. (requires cookies)

New rules on airport charging "disappointing - Fiona Hall MEP

October 23, 2008 4:15 PM

North East Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall has expressed disappointment that new airport charging rules will affect Newcastle International Airport while leaving regional rivals such as Leeds Bradford Airport untouched.

Speaking in a debate in the European Parliament last night, Fiona said:

"I welcome the increased transparency introduced by these new rules on airport charges. Too often, airports are secretive about the deals they strike - even when they are owned or part owned by public authorities.

"The public has a right to know how such airports are raising and spending their money."

But Fiona expressed disappointment that the threshold for greater reporting requirements had been set at 5 million passenger movements with no reference to percentage national market share. With 6 million passengers a year Newcastle comes just above the threshold, but it is "a minnow" compared to Heathrow and Gatwick. An earlier proposal to exempt airports with less than 15% of total national passenger movements was not supported by the British Government and rejected by EU Transport Ministers.

Fiona told the Parliament:

"Since regional airports compete mainly with their nearest neighbours it would have been fairer to have had a system which treated all small and medium sized airports in the same way."

However, it has been claimed that Newcastle Airport will be allowed to continue under Civil Aviation Authority regulation and will therefore not be directly affected by the new European rules.

Said Fiona: "The Department for Transport appeared to be completely unaware of this possibility when they last wrote to me so I will be writing to the Minister to seek clarification."

What would you like to do next?

  • Subscribe for updates

    Read updates from this website in your desktop or online news reader

    • On a news reader website

      •  
      •  
      •  

      In a desktop news reader or a website not listed above

      •  
    • Example monthly digest email
      •  
      •  
      •  

    • If you submit your email address, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you have provided to contact you from time to time about issues we think you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of some or all contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Join our email list

    • If you submit your email address, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you have provided to contact you from time to time about issues we think you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of some or all contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Follow the party's activity on...

  • Share this page

    Share this page on another website

    Link to this page

    On websites and printed material:
    berwicklibdems.org.uk/en/article/2008/099520/new-rules-on-airport-charging-disappointing-fiona-hall-mep
    In text messages, Twitter, or reading over the phone:
    alanbeith.org.uk/a04hj

    Email this page to a friend


    • Generate different image

    Print this page

  • Help out or donate

    Help out in your local area

      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  

    • If you submit your email address, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you have provided to contact you from time to time about issues we think you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of some or all contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Join the Liberal Democrats

  • Tell us what you think

    Send us your views

    If you are a resident of the Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency and are writing to discuss any issue that Parliament or government is responsible for, you must provide your home address as MPs are generally only permitted to act on behalf of constituents.

    If you are not a constituent, you do not need to provide your address, but the matters we can deal with are more limited and you may wish to contact your local MP in the first instance.

    • If you choose to join our email list, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you have provided to contact you from time to time about issues we think you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of some or all contacts at any time by contacting us. You do not need to join our email list to complete this form.


    • Generate different image

    Contact us by email, post, or phone