Snow protest: Virgin refuses to pay landing fees at Heathrow

VIRGIN ATLANTIC is refusing to pay millions of dollars in landing fees at Heathrow because of disruptions to services by airport closures caused by severe December snows.

It is understood Virgin is withholding landing charges totalling around GBP10 million (US$15.5 million).

The carrier said it would not pay the British Airports Authority (BAA) - the airport's owner - until BAA completed its investigation into the closure of the airport - scheduled to be done by April.

The carrier told London's International Freighting Weekly that so far, despite bad weather closures at other airports it used in Europe and the US, it had only written to BAA.

Said Virgin: "Despite airport operating conditions being way beyond our control, Virgin Atlantic is taking responsibility by paying out millions to customers that suffered disruption to their Christmas travel plans.

"We are keen that BAA also feels a strong sense of accountability to the consumer and that minds are focused on delivering a fully independent and robust inquiry by its deadline in March."

Other airlines using Heathrow have also criticised BAA over the amount of time it took to clear the snow.

Said BAA: "We can confirm a letter has been received from Virgin and have previously announced the independent inquiry into the snow disruption that will be carried out. We are continuing private discussions with all 90 of our airline partners to improve how future snow episodes are dealt with. Heathrow's conditions of use do not provide any basis for Virgin Atlantic, or any other airline, to withhold airport charges."
(Source:www.schednet.com)