US court allows airports to charge higher peak landing fees

US Court of Appeals amended (13-Jul-2010) its 1996 Policy Regarding Airport Rates and Charges allowing an airport to charge higher landing fees at peak times - a practice known as congestion pricing - to reduce congestion at major US airports. The decision permits airports to impose a two-part landing fee structure and vary fees throughout the day. Faced with higher fees, airlines can shift flights to less-travelled hours, change the size of aircraft flown during peak periods or pay higher fees to fly at the busiest hours.

The Air Transport Association stated it is reviewing the decision and remains "concerned about the threat of unreasonable and unjustified airport rates and charges and their potential adverse impact on the cost of air transportation". [more - Court of Appeals] [more - ACI-NA]