easyJet response to High Court judgement on Judicial Review of the Civil Aviation Authority.
We are disappointed that the High Court has today rejected the Judicial Review of charges at Gatwick Airport and will seek leave to appeal the decision. The judgement means that passengers will continue to be forced to pay up to 50% more in airport charges over the coming years - without a new terminal or runway being constructed.
easyJet sought the Judicial Review on the grounds that the CAA had held one-sided discussions with BAA after the closure of its consultation on charges in January 2008. The judge said that it was “understandable” that we felt we had been treated unfairly by the CAA; however he concluded that given its status as a “specialist regulator”, the outcome of its actions was not “so unfair” that it entitled the High Court to intervene.
Today’s decision highlights two important issues. Firstly, it demonstrates that passengers must be protected from the monopoly powers of Gatwick’s new owners with continued strong airport regulation – if a 50% increase in charges without any discernable increase in capacity is permitted at a regulated airport what would happen if the price caps were to be removed?
Secondly, it highlights the problem of concentrating so much power and discretion in a single regulator without the necessary checks and balances. In its forthcoming review of how the UK’s busiest airports are regulated, it is absolutely imperative that the Government guarantees meaningful rights of appeal for airlines. How else are passengers’ interests to be protected?
For further information, contact the easyJet press office on 01582 52 52 52 or email press.office@easyjet.com
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