Heathrow Airport's ambition to build a third runway will "significantly" increase the cost of flying from the UK's busiest airport, according to Ronan Murphy, a director at aviation consultancy Alton Aviation.
Murphy stated that the airport will "inevitably" be allowed to raise the fees it charges airlines to recoup its expansion expenses, a cost that will ultimately be borne by passengers. "Ultimately we're the ones that are paying for infrastructure growth," he told City AM.
Earlier this year, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) indicated that Heathrow could recover up to £320 million spent on its third runway proposals. The regulator estimated this would add less than 10 pence per passenger to ticket prices.
However, Murphy expressed concern that airlines, operating on thin margins, will pass these higher charges directly to consumers. This comes as Heathrow has publicly criticized the CAA, accusing it of attempting to "take the UK backwards" by allowing rival firms to construct the runway and imposing tighter spending controls.
Separately, Murphy suggested that fears of widespread flight cancellations due to a potential jet fuel shortage might be overstated for the upcoming summer period. Major carriers have indicated that their fuel suppliers are securing adequate supply, and European airlines are considered well-protected by fixed-price contracts and access to oil reserves. While acknowledging long-term risks to fuel supplies, Murphy assured that summer holiday travel plans should not be a cause for concern.