Perth and Brisbane Airports are required to lower aeronautical charges in 2001/02 to comply with price cap regulation, according to regulatory reports issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today.
The reports show that while Melbourne Airport has broadly complied, aeronautical charges at Perth and Brisbane Airports have not been reduced enough in recent years to meet the price cap administered by the ACCC.
"We are now in the last year of the price cap arrangements", ACCC Chairman, Professor Allan Fels, said today. "The regulatory framework specifies that the reduction in charges must occur during this year.
"On a positive note, the quality of airport services has either been maintained or improved at these airports over the four year period. The reports show that service quality has not been sacrificed to reduce costs under the price cap arrangements. This is a good result for both passengers and airlines".
At Brisbane Airport there were consistently high standards and some improvements noted. Results for Melbourne Airport showed that users have been satisfied with the availability and standard of the facilities and services each year except 1999/2000 when some issues were identified, but which now appear to have been addressed. At Perth Airport, users have been reasonably satisfied and standards have generally been maintained, despite some problem areas.
These are the final ACCC reports on the airports before the current price cap arrangements expire at the end of June 2002, having been in place for five years. The reports also cover financial reporting and pricing of some services not covered by the price cap.