The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has retained London Heathrow Airport's airline levies at the level set earlier in 2022.
The CAA's decision means the average maximum price per passenger will fall by about 20% from £31.57 per passenger in 2023 to remain at £25.43 from 2024 to 2026, with "the average charge over the five years" to be £27.49.
“Our priority in making this decision today is to ensure the travelling public can expect great value for money from using Heathrow in terms of having a consistently good quality of service, whilst paying no more than is needed for it," said CAA chief executive Richard Moriariy.
The lower charge "recognises that passenger volumes are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels and should benefit passengers in terms of lower costs, while also allowing Heathrow Airport Limited to continue investing in the airport for the benefit of consumers and supporting the airport’s ability to finance its operations," the CAA explained.
The package includes a £3.6 billion capital investment programme, which the CAA said would see passengers benefit from "next generation security scanners and a new baggage system in Terminal 2, which are collectively expected to cost around £1.3 billion" and the retention of "some current measures such as time waiting in security queues".