The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Spanish Airline Association (ALA) have called for an annual reduction of 4.9% (excluding inflation) in Spanish airport charges over the next five years.
IATA said this level is compatible with maintaining an airport investment plans of nearly €10bn over the same period, and enhancing Spain's economic competitiveness.
Spain's main operator AENA has proposed an annual increase of 3.8%, excluding inflation, for the five year period.
IATA said airlines reject this proposal and point to AENA's “consistent underestimation of traffic growth and the excessive regulated returns it has earned during previous regulatory periods”.
“AENA has gamed the regulatory system for years, earning millions of euros more than it should have, at the expense of passengers, airlines, and the Spanish economy,” said IATA regional vice president for Europe Rafael Schvartzman.
He added: “AENA has generated excessive returns through a creative approach to forecasting, and its request for further increases is absurd. If granted, it would deliver the highest regulated return of any comparable airport operator in Europe.”
“Aena has always demonstrated that it has the most prestigious teams in the world to develop and manage its airport infrastructures,” said Aena chairman and CEO Maurici Lucena. "They have conducted exhaustive studies over the last few years which have led to this investment proposal, governed solely and exclusively by technical criteria.
“The fact that investments have been 'unfrozen' is essential for the sustainable progress of airports and consequently of regions, because air transport infrastructures cannot stand in the way of progress and mobility.”
The total investment proposed by AENA for the period through 2031 is €12.89 million, of which around €10 million relates to the regulated investment.
AENA said that despite this “huge wave of investment”, the average annual increase is €0.43 per passenger in airport charges. The airport operator said this will keep its airport charges at “highly competitive levels” while also allowing to remain “highly efficient”.
However, IATA and ALA said its proposed reduction will still allow AENA to achieve its investment plan and improve Spain's competitiveness.
“Our proposal for a 4.9% cut in charges will improve Spain's competitiveness as an international destination, stimulating investment and job creation across the wider economy,” added Schvartzman. “At the time, AENA can still afford its €10bn investment plan and deliver reasonable returns to its shareholders.”