Ryanair has joined EasyJet, Virgin Atlantic and BMI in criticising a new price regime at the two main London airports.
Britain's aviation industry regulator is to allow London's Heathrow airport to charge airlines 23.5% more in the year starting April 1, more than it had originally envisaged.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said Heathrow, owned by BAA, would be allowed to charge £12.80 per passenger in 2008-9, and increase this amount by no more than retail price inflation plus 7.5% in the subsequent four years.
The CAA had proposed a price cap of £11.97 in November, but said it was increasing this to take account of the need for additional investment and security. The increase at Gatwick will be 21%.
In a joint statement, the four airlines called for a complete overhaul of the regulatory system and a restructuring of BAA's London airports. They warned that the increases would 'inevitable' hurt consumers.
