New airport fees set to raise Argentine domestic flight prices

Argentina’s National Airport System Regulatory Authority (in Spanish, ORSNA) raised airport fees for more than 30 airports across the country. 

The measure, which will come into effect in 60 days, will affect the final price of airline tickets depending on the type of flight and the airport used. 

What airports will be affected? The airports covered by the measure include airports such as Jorge Newbery Airport (Aeroparque), Ezeiza, Córdoba, Bariloche, Mendoza, Puerto Iguazú, Salta, Jujuy, Comodoro Rivadavia, and Mar del Plata.

The other are: San Fernando, El Palomar, San Luis, Villa Reynolds, San Juan, La Rioja, Santa Rosa, General Pico, Río Cuarto, Tucumán, Puerto Iguazú, Posadas, Resistencia, Formosa, Catamarca, Santiago del Estero, Termas de Río Hondo, Corrientes, Reconquista, Bahía Blanca, Neuquén, Viedma, Puerto Madryn, Esquel, Río Gallegos and Río Grande.

The remaining airports will retain their own fees and terms of application.

What are the changes? One of the main changes affects the domestic Airport Passenger Service Charge (TUA), which passengers pay, according to the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC). No uniform percentage increase was announced, as the change will depend on the flight and the airport.

What is behind the measure? The amendment seeks to keep the charge for the use of airport facilities stable, reduce the need for nominal rate adjustments, and sustain concession revenues. The agency clarified that, despite its name, the TUA is not a tax. 

“The TUA constitutes a tariff because it serves as compensation for users’ use of airport facilities, the operation of which has been granted under a concession by the National Government,” the text states.

In addition, the new framework directly incorporates the 30% discount previously applied to international landing and parking charges. 

Until now, the discount depended on an agreement between ORSNA, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Aeropuertos Argentina 2000, which was conditional on airlines making timely payments. Under the new schedule, the reduction will be incorporated into the rates and will no longer be subject to that agreement.

“This provides greater transparency and predictability in the application of the tariff,” the agency said.

With information from Ambito