I do not know the figure yet, but I am in talks with two legal companies, specializing in aviation issues. We discussed the case, their initial comment it is “doable”, they are to come with action plan and price of it soon.
However we were discussing EU regulations umbrella, England is different, so I can’t comment on UK. But as for the continent – I think I need some two weeks to be more precise, let’s wait and see what this figure is. Even if such action can only be set up for the continental Europe – anyhow should be of profit for English pilots, flying over the Channel (once successful, of course).
In case of AOPA involvement – absolutely yes, the need for some broader organization being involved was also mentioned by the legals. I would be more than happy if some AOPA would be willing to engage itself into this project, the best would be from the position of some broad European representation. Anytime, from any point ready for handover. But where they are?
So far we are only talking, nothing happens, year after year next airports start using GA price exclusion concept…
A legal attack is indeed expensive if you do it all yourself, but where a criminal involvement can be established, you can get some State organisation to take it over and then it can be cost effective.
Also there is a possibility that a credible initial move (meaning: instructing a well known legal firm) will concentrate the target’s mind and make them do something about it.
EAOPA got formally involved when Portuguese authorities tried to go over Schengen, when Portuguese AOPA was not even getting a reply.
At least in Greece I do think there is a clear abuse of dominant position, no available alternatives are given, in such case is not a question of going to the expensive one when you could go for another one cheaper close by. There is no alternative to expensive Fraport and abusive handling prices in Greece central islands. Greek government also is to blame by limiting access / port of entry to Fraport operating ones.
The first case needs to be investigated and selected very very carefully, as one with the best chance of success. The first case is critical. If unsuccessful, it would have a large negative impact. On the other hand, if the first case is successful it could be broadly communicated across the aviation community and leveraged extensively to apply pressure on other potential candidates with a possible positive effect without prosecution.
ideally I would hope AOPA and others focus on airspace grabs for under-utilised Class D.
An airspace “grab” is only a by-product of a runway and apron “grab”.
If large airports did not manage by exclusion and we were based out of airports shared with others in an effective manner, then the airspace class does not matter so much.
For the UK, I have put together a price table:
AIRPORT 24-HR MINIMUM APR-2017 RWY REMARKS
CHARGE PARKING FBO FEE TOTAL CAPAC
CHARGE inc.VAT UTIL
Alderney 12.78 12.60 * 0 12.78
Dundee 10.23 6.62 0 20.22
Jersey 8.48 12.72 * 10 (Aero Club) 21.20
St. Mary’s 12.50 6.25 0 22.50
Guernsey 12.70 12.60 * 10 (ASG) 22.70
HIAL ** 17.08 2.76 0 23.81
Carlisle 10.98 10 0 25.17
Coventry 14.38 7.19 0 (Aero Club) 25.89
Humberside 23.75 0 0 28.50 Subtract £5.70 if VFR
Derry City 14.17 9.95 0 28.94
Blackpool 19.50 4.80 0 29.16
Southampton 18.22 7.3 0 **** (Airport) 30.62
Cardiff 17 10 0 (Aeros Club) 32.40
Newquay 25 2 0 (Flynqy) 32.40
Lydd 18 9 0 (Aero Club) 32.40
Hawarden 18.33 10 0 33.99
Gloucester 17.46 11.25 0 34.45 Subtract £5.95 if VFR
Durham Tees 10 10 15 (Consort) 39.00
Biggin Hill 23 10.75 0 40.50
Exeter 24.8 10.71 0 (Aviation SW) 42.61
Cranfield 16 20 0 43.20
Norwich 21.4 7.25 10.10 (SaxonAir) 46.50 Subtract £12 if weekend
Southend 24 15 0 46.80
Prestwick 40 13.10 0 (Flight Centre)48.00
Cambridge 25 15 0 (Aero Club) 48.00 ***
Shoreham 27.50 16 0 52.20
Birmingham 14.99 6.3 25 (Blue City) 55.55 Self-handling not permitted
Oxford 31.50 16 0 57.00 Subtract £18 if VFR
Don Sheff 16 10 22 (Weston) 57.60 Self-handling not permitted
East Mid 33.97 7.26 10 (Donair) 61.48 Self-handling not permitted
Leeds Brad 15 4.02 35 (Multiflight) 64.82 Self-handling not permitted
Belfast City 29.50 7.07 25 (AVflight) 73.88 Self-handling not permitted
Liverpool 24 5.8 33 (Ravenair) 75.36 Self-handling not permitted
Bournemouth 23.26 18.81 20.83 (Bliss) 75.48 Self-handling not permitted
Newcastle 27 6.8 40 (Samson) 76.56 Self-handling not permitted
Isle of Man 20.30 4.05 40 (Rendezvous) 77.22 Self-handling not permitted
Belfast Intl 31.60 16.72 25 (EAC) 87.98 Self-handling not permitted
Aberdeen 48 7.2 20 (Signature) 90.24 40% Self-handling not permitted
Glasgow 53 6.53 20 (Aero Club) 95.40 40% Self-handling not permitted
Bristol Intl 51.10 18.70 20.83 (Aero Club)108 Self-handling not permitted
Manchester 39 13.76 213 (Premiere) 318 50% Self-handling not permitted
Edinburgh 64 7.2 239 (Signature) 372 40% Self-handling not permitted
Stansted 274 130 * 150+ (Signature) 450+ 50% Self-handling not permitted
Luton 378 104.32 150+ (Signature) 550+ 40% Self-handling not permitted
Farnborough 485 10.88 Incl.(TAG) 595 60% Self-handling not permitted
Gatwick 200+ (Signature) 1500+ 95% Self-handling not permitted
London City Single Engine/Personal use NOT PERMITTED. 40%
Heathrow Single Engine/Personal use NOT PERMITTED. 99%
* Parking charge is not applied on first night of parking.
** HIAL = Highlands and Islands Airports. Includes: Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Islay, Inverness,
Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick.
*** Airport discounts available if you become a member of the local aero club.
**** Pre-booking essential to obtain zero-fee handling.
Keynotes:
AIRPORT CHARGE – The Airport Charge includes all charges levied by the aerodrome from inbound approach to outbound departure for a 2-seater SEP aircraft (MTOW 757kg) operated non-commercially during standard, non-peak operating hours.
Includes: Any landing fees, instrument approach fees, navigation service charges, runway movement and departure fees levied for visiting (non-based) aircraft.
Excludes: VAT, parking, discounts, training rates, package deals, rebates or any other promotional offers.
24HR PARKING CHARGE – Parking Charge is for up to 24hrs after any initial free period of parking (typically 2 hours at most airports).
Excludes VAT.
MINIMUM FBO FEE – FBO Fee obtained by contacting several based handling agents and flying schools on-site and noting the cheapest on offer. 0=No charge / self-handling permitted
Excludes VAT.
GRAND TOTAL – Total to land, park for a night and take off the following day within a 24hr period.
Includes VAT where applicable.
handing/handling fees as a way of exclusion of GA – some myth or true?
In my opinion, true in the UK. Only Heathrow and Gatwick runways are utilised up to planning permission capacity about 99%+ of the time.
Other airports across the country have plenty of unused slots, but refuse to drop their prices and/or impose significant mandatory handling fees.
They cannot be bothered with “poor” customers.
I am willing to contribute some money, too, but is litigation really necessary before the administrative means have been exhausted? After all, there is European Commission and the EU Network of Competition Authorities, which may have jurisdiction over at least some of the issues involved.
I do not know yet what is needed, if some administrative action or of other nature. I simply know that a growing number of airports want to get rid of GA, I do not like such behavior, time to try to stop it.
What means to choose? This is the task for the lawyers. I hope to have ideas from two of such soon.
If you know someone professional with whom it is of sense to discuss the topic – please do so. If we decide to start crowdfunding process – the money will go to whom we jointly choose.
The goal is to efficiently win with some “misbehaving” airport(s) in the dispute that is EU level significant. So that the example could be used in other countries, too. Of course the less it costs – the better. I fully agree with majority said here, this will be difficult, target needs to be chosen carefully etc.
But one for me is clear after this survey – if we do not find a way to stop this process, our ability to travel places will be even more limited, in a fast pace. In fact just to the countries with good local aeroclubs infrastructure. Public/larger airports, once getting some CAT traffic (and this segment of cheap airlines is expanding rapidly) – close it’s runways for GA with the use of fees…
Ok sign me up for 100€ too! Good initiative
While the intent of this is noble, I think reality will hit when you realise how much even a small bit of regulatory litigation will cost.
