EU airlines in 'congestion talks'

Some airlines feel airport charges are already too high

Europe's leading airlines and airport operators are meeting in Brussels amid reports that carriers could face extra charges for flying at peak times.

The European Commission is looking at ways of boosting competitiveness across the industry, increasing capacity and funding infrastructure improvements.

Whether airlines should be asked to pay "congestion charges" to use airports at busy times will be one issue discussed.

Airlines are concerned that current landing fees are already too high.

Thorny issue

However, airport owners believe carriers should bear more of the cost of improvements to fund new terminals and runways.

Airport charges are currently set at a country-by-country level and are the subject of fierce arguments between airlines and airport owners.

The dialogue between various stakeholders should also bring diverging positions closer to each other Jacques Barrot, EU Commissioner

Earlier this year, the International Air Transport Association called on Brussels to step in to regulate what it described as the "horror story" of excessive charges at some of Europe's leading airlines.

Friday's discussions will focus on whether there is a case for a more consistent approach to airport charging across the EU.

EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said he had not drawn any conclusions on the issue ahead of the meeting.

"The dialogue between various stakeholders should also bring diverging positions closer to each other," he said in an official statement.

However, he told the Financial Times that he believed "modulating (airport) charges could be very helpful".

Airline associations say the timing of flights should not affect charges and that the industry should focus on developing its infrastructure to ensure it remains globally competitive.

Airport owners are generally resistant to the idea of more regulation of landing charges although some have shown support for the idea of congestion fees if they are voluntary.

The European aviation industry is expanding rapidly, driven largely by the growth of budget airlines.