Durham Tees Valley Airport cautioned about new charge

Thursday, 18th November 2010

The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has reminded the owners of Durham Tees Valley Airport that they must take steps to ensure passengers know about the new departure fees before they arrive at the airport. Adults must now pay an airport facility fee of £6. Children have to pay £2.

Peel Airports, which owns the airport, said it had no choice but to implement the charges if it was to survive amidst increasing costs. Craig Richmond, the boss of Peel Airports, said the airport was currently losing money.

The new fees are paid by passengers in the terminal at machines that produce tickets with which they can get through security and to the departure areas. When the new fees were launched on 15 November, a number of passengers who had not been made aware of the new charges criticised airport staff.

A spokesman for the CAA said the body had contacted the airport about the new charges. The CAA reminded airport bosses that they have an obligation to work with carriers so that passengers know about the fees before they purchase their tickets.

He added that passengers who arrive at the airport and are genuinely unaware of the new fee should hold onto information about their bookings. He said passengers who are unsure of their rights can get advice from the Air Transport Users Council.

← EasyJet expected to announce strong results
→ Fears royal wedding could hit travel biz
↑ November 2010 news index

Compare Airport Parking & Hotels