ARGS
Eddie Saunders
23 October 2026
Airline competition and airport capacity have a greater influence on air fares than airport charges, according to a new study examining nearly 6,000 European air routes.
The analysis, carried out by consultancy Oxera, comes as the European Commission reviews the EU Airport Charges Directive and Airport Slots Regulation. Rules governing airport slots are also being debated in the UK.
The study, titled What Really Drives Air Fares, draws on more than 62,000 data points to assess the relationship between airport charges, congestion, airline competition and ticket prices.
Its findings challenge the assumption that reducing airport charges necessarily leads to lower fares for passengers...
