European airports: monopolies, or exploiting market power?

Eight years ago a detailed report, commissioned by ACI Europe, was researched in Europe into the market power and monopoly capability of airports in Europe. Broadly, its conclusion was that there was no evidence of excessive market power or monopolisation there.

But the subject has not gone away. Despite capacity issues, the four main airports in Europe remain the four biggest by a margin, and in many countries a small number of airports, sometimes just one, do appear to have considerable power. There are few airports in the region, perhaps only one, which handle LCCs that could be accused of having any sort of monopoly power.

At the recent CAPA Qatar Aviation Aeropolitical and Regulatory Summit the subject was broached again, with examples being offered from Australia and Europe. In the latter case, there were divergent views from speakers.

This short report looks at selected airport examples in Europe and how the landing charges levied on airlines there speak for or against the proposal that there is evidence of monopoly power.