easyJet responds to the Stansted Airport Charges Report

“easyJet, the UK’s largest airline, welcomes the recommendations of the Competition Commission (CC) on future charges at Stansted Airport. In the current economic climate, more than ever the flying public needs to be protected from monopoly abuse and the CC is to be congratulated for its clear-headed analysis.

“The CC has listened to the evidence of easyJet and others that the airport is a monopoly and that consequently it is necessary to set a binding price cap to guard against the exploitation of BAA’s market power. This is in stark contrast to the Civil Aviation Authority, which last year recommended the removal of all price caps at Stansted - and continues to argue in favour of this discredited proposal.

“Today’s report sets out categorically what we have known for some time - that there are significant failings in BAA’s approach to consultation. BAA has kept airlines in the dark on too many major decisions, but has expected us to pick up the bill for its excesses.

“Last year, the CAA chose to ignore the CC’s recommendations with regard to pricing at Gatwick Airport – a decision that is now the subject of a Judicial Review claim by easyJet. We urge the CAA to listen to the CC this time at Stansted - and put the interests of the travelling public above those of BAA.”