Dublin Airport Authority states 40% rise in passenger charges not sufficient

Ireland's Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) stated the 40% rise in passenger charges to be introduced before the end of the year will not be high enough to allow it to operate in a "sustainable and financially viable manner" (Irish Independent, 09-Jun-2010). DAA argued to the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) that the new charges would not increase its funds from an operation-to-debt ratio to an investment-grade ratio until 2012. CAR last year decided to raise the maximum charge per passenger to be levied by the DAA at Dublin Airport from EUR7.39 to EUR10.44 next year. DAA, Ryanair and Aer Lingus all appealed the decision on different grounds. CAR also commented that the DAA's 'BBB' credit rating was sufficient for it to operate. The Aviation Appeals Panel has also asked CAR to consider a means by which the recovery of increased overheads from the "over-specification" of retail space in Terminal 2 could be postponed until "commercially justified". T2 is estimated to have approximately 40% more retail space than other international airports. Aer Lingus has also argued the retail space would not be used efficiently for the foreseeable future as passenger traffic is insufficient.