Airport charges 'may be reviewed'

Airport charges could be reviewed again within three to six months, the aviation regulator, Bill Prasifka, has indicated.

Airport charges could be reviewed again within three to six months, the aviation regulator, Bill Prasifka, has indicated.

Addressing the Joint Committee on Transport yesterday, Mr Prasifka said the Dublin Airport Authority's (DAA) plans for the development of Dublin airport had been finalised too late to be considered in his most recent review of charges.

At the end of last month, Mr Prasifka raised the cap on charges at Dublin Airport from €5 per passenger to €6.14 from January.

The DAA had wanted an increase to €7.50 and called for an immediate review of the decision.

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Mr Prasifka said yesterday that the new cap would allow Dublin airport to invest €85 million in development each year.

The new terminal at Dublin airport is expected to cost between €70 and €200 million, depending on specification.

Mr Prasifka said he hoped to be able to fully consider and independently verify the DAA's plans within the next six months.

"We hope that a lot of work could be done within the next three months. After that we can examine it and see whether it should trigger a review," he said.

The regulator can decide to review airport charges at a time of his choosing.

Úna McCaffrey

Úna McCaffrey

Úna McCaffrey is an Assistant Business Editor at The Irish Times