CAA Proposes Strict Cap on Heathrow Fees

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has put forward a proposal to cap passenger charges at Heathrow Airport. For the regulatory period spanning 2027 to 2031, the proposed range for these charges is between 27.20 pounds and 30.50 pounds per passenger. This initiative aims to balance the need for fair passenger prices with the necessity of facilitating crucial infrastructure investments at Europe's busiest airport.

However, Heathrow's CEO, Thomas Woldbye, has voiced concerns regarding the potential consequences of such a cap. He indicated that it might compel the airport to make choices that compromise service quality and delay essential developments. The airport anticipates handling approximately 85 million passengers this year and is undertaking a significant 33 billion pounds plan for a new runway. The CAA is scheduled to release its final proposals in November 2026, with a definitive decision expected in April 2027. This new price control mechanism operates independently of the ongoing efforts to support capacity expansion at Heathrow.