BIRMINGHAMInternational Airport is freezing its charges for the fifth year running as it attempts to boost services.
The fees strategy, due to change on April 1, is designed to encourage carriers to start new routes and help Birmingham attract new passengers during a £260m development programme.
Fees at Birmingham are £10.71 per departing passenger for international services and £6.44 on domestic and Irish flights.
The runway charges, based on the take-off weight of a departing aircraft, are £6.30 per half tonne up to two tonnes and £11.21 per tonne over two tonnes.
The airport also charges 12p for each departing passenger to cover ground handling.
Managing director Brian Summers said: “By freezing the charges again, the airport is demonstrating its commitment to all airlines that want to operate from Birmingham.
“We are keen to further develop our overall charging strategy in keeping with market conditions and the needs of our customers.”
The airport faces growing competition for traffic from southeast airports and regional hubs such as Manchester.
Existing carriers Jersey European Airways, which has its hub at the airport, and British Airways Regional are both planning to improve their networks.
JEA plans new European services and increased capacity on key existing routes (Travel Weekly January 31).
BA Regional, the offshoot of BA based at Birmingham and Manchester Airports, also plans new European flights with the delivery of aircraft from the Airbus A320 family this year.
Rival airports Heathrow and Manchester are restricted in the amount of extra charges they can levy under government rules.
Birmingham’s decision to keep current prices comes as the airport nears the end of the second phase of its £260m 10-year development plan.
BA’s Eurohub terminal and the main terminal have been linked and better baggage facilities installed.