In a turn up for the books, Heathrow Airport is reduce the cost of flying within the United Kingdom, with passengers charges to be cut by £10.
Heathrow Airport from the air- Image Economy Class and Beyond
The revised UK domestic passenger charge is now £19.10 (instead of £29.10). The discount will remain through to 2037 – as long as the public interest requires it, and there is justification for it.
The airport suggests this is one of the biggest discounts it’s made when it’s come to landing charges at Heathrow, with what Heathrow Airport’s John Holland-Kaye suggesting that it save over £500million over time.
According to the quote from John Holland-Kaye – Heathrow CEO
“Earlier this year Heathrow promised to do more to help Britain’s economy grow stronger. This morning I’m delighted that we’re able to come good on that promise with our new £10 domestic discount. Putting over £500 million back into the pockets of British families and businesses will help to spur growth in every part of the UK.”
By reducing this charge, Heathrow airport hopes it is passed back to consumers who utilise the airport via the airlines.
Of course, it will be up to the airlines if they decide to pass on the full £10 discount… or if they get greedy and hang onto the money for themselves.
Currently, Aer Lingus and British Airways operate UK domestic routes from London Heathrow. FlyBe will be joining them soon in March adding 40 extra flight a week between Heathrow and Scotland.
Whilst I doubt this alone will kick of a renaissance of domestic flying at Heathrow airport (which desperately needs more competition), others have stepped in the meantime – LCC’s that operate routes from London Gatwick and Stansted, increased competition from rail companies (especially between London and Manchester, London – Glasgow, and London – Edinburgh routes).
This leaves an ever closing window for airlines to dedicate resources to fly short-haul routes.
Additionally, when bad weather hits Heathrow, for one airline, the sacrifice of the domestic and short-haul programme is pretty much mandatory. Other airlines get caught in delays.
It will be interesting to see if Heathrow Airport can attract FlyBe to operate more routes in the long-term, and if British Airways will actually prioritise its domestic flying programme for a change.
In the medium term – this could get very interesting.
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I know I shouldn’t look a gifthorse in the mouth, but £20 for a passenger to land still seems like an awful lot to me.