WKO rejects air traffic control fee increase

The civil aviation trade association at the Economy Chamber (WKO) said today (Mon) it had rejected demands for a 13 per cent increase in air traffic control fees next year, according to Austrian Times.

Association chief Gritta Grabner said: "Such an increase would be a massive problem for the Austrian civil aviation industry, which finds itself in a very precarious situation. The industry is in crisis around the world and has suffered larger losses this year than originally expected.

"At such a time, [Austrian air traffic control authority] Austro Control should increase its efficiency and cut costs through internal measures rather than raise fees."
Grabner added the International Air Transport Association (IATA) had predicted a loss of 6.4 billion Euros in the worldwide civil aviation industry in 2009 and said 100,000 jobs in the sector, including 25,000 in Europe, were in danger.

Financially-struggling Austrian Airlines (AUA) called the increase called for by Austro Control "completely unacceptable."
But Austro Control has said it wants the fee hiked to compensate for a reduction in airline traffic caused by the economic crisis.
 

Source: Transportweekly