Airports: Charging Airlines For Take-Off And Landing?

Airlines incur various costs and fees when using an airport's facilities and services. These charges cover everything from landing the aircraft to parking and even fuelling. Airport fees are essential as they help cover the costs of running an airport, which is a complex and costly operation. From runway maintenance to Air Traffic Control, every service comes with a price tag.

The fees charged by airports vary depending on the airport and the level of protection chosen. Some airports may charge for landing, while others may only charge for long-term parking or hangar space. Landing fees are usually calculated based on the weight of the aircraft, with other factors such as the time of day or type of operation also affecting the fee. Handling fees, hangar and tie-down fees, fuel costs, and overnight fees are also common charges.

It is important to note that airport fees are separate from Fixed Base Operator (FBO) fees. FBOs are private companies that operate within the airport and provide services such as fuelling, hangaring, and aircraft rental. While some FBOs may offer bundled services at a set fee, airport fees are usually set by the airport authority and are standard for all users.

Landing fees

The fees are typically calculated based on the maximum gross landing weight of the aircraft, usually charged per 1000 lbs, but they can also be influenced by other factors such as the number of seats, time of day, aircraft home airport, and operator class. For instance, at JFK airport in New York, the fee in 2020 was $6.95 per thousand pounds of maximum gross weight. This resulted in a landing fee of $5,386 for a 777-300ER aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 775,000 pounds.

Some airports may also include additional services in their landing fees, such as the use of gates and check-in facilities. Alternatively, certain airports may charge a lower landing fee but then levy separate charges for these extra services.

Parking fees

Airlines are charged parking fees for using airports. These fees are dependent on the size of the aircraft and the time spent on the ground. For example, at JFK airport, airlines are charged $70 plus an additional $25 for each 25,000 pounds of MTOW over 200,000 pounds for each period of up to eight hours.

The parking fees for airlines vary from airport to airport. For instance, at the Kolkata airport, airlines have to pay a parking charge of Rs 9 per tonne and a housing fee of Rs 17.60 per tonne for aircraft weighing up to 100 tonnes. For heavier aircraft, the parking fee is Rs 11.80 per tonne and the housing fee is Rs 23.60 per tonne. These charges are levied hourly.

The parking fees for airlines can be quite substantial, especially for larger aircraft. For instance, a Boeing 777, which weighs over 200 tonnes, can be charged up to Rs 1 lakh per day in parking fees.

In some cases, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines may negotiate with the government to waive or reduce parking fees for grounded aircraft.

Fuel costs

Fluctuating oil prices can cause issues for airlines, and many will buy fuel options ahead of time to lock in prices and simplify accounting. However, this is not a perfect solution, as prices will still rise when oil prices increase.

The impact of rising fuel prices is somewhat mitigated by more efficient aircraft. Older long-haul flights used heavy, four-engine airliners, whereas newer aircraft are smaller and more efficient, with the Airbus A321XLR being a popular choice for airlines.

The average price of fuel for a London to New York return flight in 2019 was $27,270, whereas a transcontinental flight from New York to Los Angeles would use $10,757 of fuel.

As of January 2025, the national average price for jet fuel in the US is $6.22 per gallon, with prices varying by region. The FAA Alaska region has the highest jet fuel price at $8.21, while the Central region has the lowest at $5.52.

Handling fees

Airlines have very high fixed costs for operating flights, and there is not a lot of money in the business compared to other industries. This is a complicated area that shifts and changes significantly between regions and over time.

Every airport is different, so the types of fees and the rates vary. However, signatory airlines (passenger airlines that have signed a lease agreement or cargo airlines that have committed to a specific number of weekly flights) get a discount on most fees.

Overnight fees

Airlines incur various fees for using airport facilities and services, including overnight fees for parking their aircraft at the airport overnight. These fees can vary significantly depending on several factors, such as the airport, aircraft size, time of year, and parking space availability.

The cost of overnight parking can range from $15 to $35 for small piston-engine aircraft, depending on the airport's size and facilities. For larger aircraft, such as the Airbus A330-300, overnight parking costs can range from $150 to $225 at an airport. The mighty Airbus A380 may cost over $300 for overnight parking, and such large aircraft can only operate at specific airports.

It is important to note that overnight parking fees are usually in addition to other airport fees, such as landing fees, hangar fees, fuel costs, and handling fees. These fees can also vary based on aircraft weight, time of day, and other factors.

Overall, the variation in overnight fees and other airport charges can significantly impact the operating costs of airlines, especially for smaller airlines or those with fewer resources.

Frequently asked questions