News: Easyjet takes legal action over Gatwick charges increase
Flights > News > # 2112 (17/03/2009)
Easyjet has applied for a judicial review of the decision by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to allow “exorbitant” increases in airport charges at Gatwick.
At a four-day hearing in London’s High Court, Easyjet will accuse the aviation watchdog of failing to follow due process by favouring BAA at the expense of commercial airlines in pricing negotiations.
Easyjet sought the judicial review after the CAA increased charges from £5.61 per passenger to £6.79 per passenger in March last year. The charges will rise to £7.34 plus inflation per passenger by 2013.
It is the first time that the CAA has been subject to a judicial review of airport pricing and it could force the aviation watchdog to open a fresh round of talks. Under normal circumstances pricing levels are set every five years.
A spokesman for the CAA said that it would defend its position “robustly”. A ruling is expected within eight weeks.
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