ACI Europe: Airlines and pax to 'pay fairer share' despite improvements in financial performance

ACI Europe reported (25-Jun-2015) European Union (EU) airports are "improving" their financial performance by reducing internal costs and lower capital costs. Airport staff costs in the region decreased by 17.5%, in comparison to 2008 levels. Maintenance costs as well as waste expenses declined by approximately 52% and 9% respectively in the last seven years. However, ACI Europe advised: "Aeronautical revenues coming from user charges paid by airlines and passengers keep decreasing," due to factors such as "market maturity, shifting consumer behaviour, competition from online retail, off-site parking options and more restrictive airline cabin bag rules [affecting] these revenue streams." Director general Olivier Jankovec noted 2013 as "a turning point" for the industry, as commercial revenue is decreasing by 4.1% per passenger. Mr Jankovec said: "Going forward, with several years of reductions in airport operating expenses behind us, airlines and passengers may well have to pay a fairer share of the costs they incur."[more - original PR]