AOA Logo
%SECTION Image 1%SECTION Image 2%SECTION Image 3%SECTION Image 4

Aviation Security Charges Directive

AOA responded to the DfT consultation on the EU Commissions proposed Aviation Security Charges Directive (ASCD). The aim of the consultation was to help determine the position of the UK Government when discussing the proposals with the European Commission.

The ASCD follows on from the Airport Charges Directive and sets out five basic principles for setting and modifying security charges. These are: non discrimination, consultation, transparency, cost relatedness and independent supervision.

The key points of AOA’s response were:

  • AOA urged the government to align UK security levels with that of the EU baseline.
  • AOA felt that whilst the objectives of the Directive are inherently positive we do not believe it would bring any benefits to the competitive airport market in the UK.
  • The draft Directive would not create a level playing field across EU airports due to the differing levels and systems of security.
  • The scope of the Directive should be aligned with the Airport Charges Directive, so that it only applies to airports handling more than 5 million passengers per annum.
  • Other stakeholders in airport security should be subject to the requirements of the Directive.
  • The Commission’s Impact Assessment is fundamentally flawed and does not take true account of the burdens imposed by the Directive.
  • Service levels are not taken into account when discussing the system for charges. The level of charges can vary on the service provided; the Commission should not discourage differing levels of service.

The European Parliament approved several amendments to the European Commission's draft directive and decided that measures that are not listed as standard EU aviation security techniques, such as body-scanning machines, should be paid for by member states rather than airlines or passengers.

MEPs, however, validated the EC's proposal that member states remain free to decide how to share the costs of the measures covered by existing EU legislation, such as metal and explosive detectors, bomb-sniffing dogs, hand searches and liquid screeners.

Negotiations continue on the principles of the Directive and whether it is needed. AOA will keep a watching brief and work together with ACI Europe when a decision is taken.