Heathrow passengers face higher fares as airport can recover early expansion plan costs
The UK's Civil Aviation Authority has allowed Heathrow Airport to recover £320 million in early expansion planning costs through increased passenger charges. This decision, which will raise fares starting in 2028, has faced opposition from airlines like British Airways.
Why it matters
The ruling sets a precedent for how infrastructure projects are funded and highlights the tension between airport expansion goals and the resulting financial burden on consumers.
The CAA said its decision would increase the maximum airport charge per passenger by about 15p in 2028. The CAA said its decision would increase the maximum airport charge per passenger by about 15p in 2028. Heathrow airport Heathrow passengers face higher fares as airport can recover early expansion plan costs CAA says airport can recoup £320m through higher airline charges, which are usually passed on to travellers
Prefer the Guardian on Google Heathrow passengers face decades of higher fares after the regulator overrode airline objections to allow the airport to charge for planning work to build its proposed third runway.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it had permitted Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) to recover early costs of up to £320m spent on developing its expansion plan since 2025.
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