| Terminal 2 row set to escalate as
Aer Lingus threatens a boycott  Aer
Lingus has threatened not to use the new terminal at Dublin Airport if
passengers are forced to pay higher charges to pass through it.
The airline which is expected to be the main tenant of the €e1.2billion
Terminal 2 says it is opposed to any idea of users paying more for either
flying out of the new building or for travelling at peak times.
In its submission to the Commission for Aviation Regulation the airline
said: “Aer Lingus does not welcome or need different service standards
between the two terminals; therefore we are not prepared to pay more for
a higher level of service in T2.”
It also adds that it will have “no option but to remain in T1 should
differential pricing be imposed.”
Rival airline Ryanair also revealed recently that it is opposed to any
increase in landing charges at the existing Dublin Airport terminal and
has threatened to take a legal challenge to the regulator’s decision.
The international airline lobby group IATA is also against the idea.
They said: “Any airlines requesting higher level of facilities or
service for which they are willing to pay a premium should agree this
bilaterally with the airport through commercial negotiations.”
The Dublin Airport Authority is looking to raise charges from the current
level of e6.34 per passenger to €e7.50 by 2009 and then to €e8.50
afterwards.
An Bord Pleanála are due to hold a public hearing on the proposed
terminal next month.
|
