Heathrow told to cut passenger charges again

Heathrow Airport has been told to cut passenger charges for airlines next year, in a move that should feed through to ticket prices.

The Civil Aviation Authority decided lower charges were required due to passenger numbers recovering quicker after the height of the pandemic.

Passenger charges are paid by airlines and go towards costs for terminals runways, baggage systems and security.

The average charge per passenger at Heathrow for 2023 is £31.57.

But the regulator said it will fall to £25.43 in 2024 and "remain broadly flat" until the end of 2026.

It is understood bosses at Heathrow wanted charges to actually increase to more than £40.

Although, the charges are paid by airlines, they can impact flight prices if companies decide to pass on some costs onto passengers via airfares.