Press Release: Commission completes investigation into discriminatory landing fees at European airports

Following an investigation and formal proceedings by the European Commission, the structure of landing charges at European airports was changed in those countries where they failed to comply with competition law.The Commission was therefore able to close its investigation in May 2001. Traditionally, most countries had applied discriminatory landing fees, that is to say, they favoured domestic airlines and discriminated against foreign carriers to the detriment of customers, notably on intra-EU flights. The elimination of such practices will foster competition within Europe, as companies will be able to compete on an equal footing.