Aer Lingus chief predicts Dublin Airport charges will add €25m in 2011
Aer Lingus chief executive Christoph Mueller wrote to Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey on November 22 last to warn him that an increase in passenger charges at Dublin will add €25m to the airline's cost base. The letter was written to Minster Dempsey twelve days before Aviation Regulator Cathal Guiomard announced the increase. If as expected, Dublin Airport's second terminal, T2 opens in just under one year's time the 2011 passenger charge will be 41% higher than current levels. In his letter to Minister Dempsey, Mr. Mueller warned that the increase will have to be absorbed by the airline as soft consumer demand will prevent passing the charge on to the travelling public. The airline fears that the €25m charge will have to be recovered from within the company and will now be added to the €97m in savings being sought under the Aer Lingus Transformation Plan.
RTE News also reports that the Minister for Transport has heard complaints from a lobby group that it has been repeatedly refused meetings with the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to discuss the 41% hike in passenger charges. The Dublin Airport Consultation Commitee represents Aer Lingus, Ryanair, CityJet and other airline users of Dublin Airport.