Scare-mongering by AENA chairman cannot mask lame arguments for increasing airport charges | News
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed outrage at recent comments by Maurici Lucena, chairman and CEO of AENA, the operator of the vast majority of Spain’s airports, suggesting that airlines calling for a reduction in airport charges were “compromising safety”.
“Safety is the top priority of airlines and of the entire aviation industry. That the Chairman of AENA would misunderstand this is another indication that he is isolated from the fundamental realities of aviation – including both safety and economics. The legitimate concern of airlines for cost-efficient airport charges is in no way linked to any compromise on the safety and security of passengers and airline employees. Such scaremongering is highly inappropriate and shows the weak grounds that AENA has for rejecting their request for a 16% levy increase,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh.
Safe, efficient and affordable air connectivity is the responsibility of every player in the aviation value chain, including airlines and airports. Airlines are not looking for “excessively cheap infrastructure” (as Lucena claims), nor are they underestimating the importance of safety and security in pursuing this shared responsibility.
“Airlines have consistently called for airport charges that reflect the reality of passenger growth, appropriate investment and reasonable returns. Airlines are faced with rising regulatory and environmental costs, supply chain constraints, volatile fuel prices, on top of rising airport and ATC charges. Despite these challenges, airlines have continued to provide affordable connectivity for Spain. Adjusted for inflation, airfares have fallen by 9% since 2019. The 15 largest Spanish airports have seen a decline in real airfares from an increase from 6% to 37% has occurred over the past decade. Against this backdrop, rigorous scrutiny of airport charges is not only legitimate but necessary to ensure connectivity remains affordable for consumers and sustainable for the broader economy.
The current reality is that AENA has achieved €1.32 billion more in returns over the past two regulatory periods than it should have under the decisions of the Spanish economic regulatory process. In 2024, AENA’s regulated and non-regulated operations in Spain achieved a net profit margin of 36.4%, compared to the average net margin of European airlines of 3.5%. Airlines operating in Spain need independent, transparent and consultative airport regulation, in line with ICAO principles, that balances the interests of airports, airlines, passengers and the wider economy. Productive engagement – rather than rhetoric – is the most effective way to ensure that Spain’s airports continue to support growth, regional development and high-quality passenger services.
IATA stands ready to work with AENA and all stakeholders to promote a collaborative approach that strengthens the Spanish aviation sector in the long term.
