UK's aviation regulator caps Heathrow plan to charge higher fees

LONDON: Britain's aviation regulator said that Heathrow, the country's busiest airport, would not be permitted to increase passenger charges as much as it had wanted, as the hub and its airlines vie against each other to recover pandemic losses.

COVID-19 has restricted flying for over 18 months, putting huge financial strain on Heathrow and the airlines that use it, including its biggest customer British Airways, and making airport charges the subject of a bitter row.

The Civil Aviation Authority said in its initial proposals on Tuesday that Heathrow could raise its per passenger charge to between 24.50 pounds and 34.40 pounds. Heathrow had requested the cap be set at between 32 pounds to 43 pounds.