The National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) approved on Monday a report that deals a blow to Aena’s investment plan for the period between 2027 and 2031. The regulator recommends a reduction of airport fees by 0.59% annually, compared to the airport manager’s proposal, which advocates increasing them by 3.8% per year to undertake, among other things, the expansion of El Prat airport.
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In a note sent to the CNMV, Aena considers that this report is nothing more than one of the “procedures inherent to the ordinary approval process of the third DORA, which continues normally until its completion by resolution of the Council of Ministers,” which is scheduled before September 30.
However, the airlines have issued another statement in which they celebrate the CNMC report as their own victory. The regulator, they state, “gives airlines reason by considering that there is room to lower airport fees over the next five years without compromising the investments planned by Aena.” However, the CNMC falls short of their aim to reduce fees by 4.9%.
In its report, the CNMC supports the fee reduction in order to “strengthen the efficiency of the airport system and ensure its economic sustainability.” It prepares it, as explained, at the request of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transport.
One of the key points of the report is that it is made incorporating Aena’s investment plan, which amounts to 9.991 billion euros regarding regulated activities, of which more than 70% will be allocated to increasing capacity to meet traffic growth, maintaining facilities, and strengthening the security of airports and passengers.
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