LUTONAirport’s management is facing a turbulent 2000 with its low-cost airline clients after the opening of the new £40m terminal (Travel Weekly November 22).
EasyJet and Ryanair claim the airport is putting up fees next year to cover development costs and is also curbing growth at Luton.
EasyJet is concentrating on its Liverpool and Geneva hubs and will launch flights from Gatwick and Stansted next month.
Ryanair cut its Luton-Dublin service to two daily flights from five this winter and will shift capacity to Stansted.
A spokesman for EasyJet said: “Airport prices are going up. Our present contract is being renegotiated and there will be a sharp rise in charges next winter.”
Ryanair commercial director Tim Jeans said: “Luton Airport has told us that prices will go up. There will be higher fares for passengers due to the higher charges.
“EasyJet and ourselves do not take capacity out unless there is a good reason behind it.”
The airport’s commercial director Marcus Balmforth denied charges will rise due to the new terminal which was opened by the Queen on Thursday.
He said: “We have given no indication there will be an increase in charges.”
Balmforth said new contracts for next winter were being discussed but no fees have been set.