ABSTRACT
Most airports have a weight related landing charge based on maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) or maximum authorized weight (MAW). The simplest method is to charge a fixed amount unit rate (e.g. US$X per tonne) regardless of the size of the aircraft. A fixed unit rate will favour smaller aircraft types since tonnage tends to increase faster than aircraft capacity or payload. It will also benefit airlines which have high load factors or seating capacities. This simple method is used at many airports throughout the world including the US and Australian airports, many of the German airports, Brussels, and Copenhagen. Some airports have a unit landing charge which declines as the weight of the aircraft increases such as Manchester airport. At other airports, for example, Kuala Lumpur and the Italian, Spanish, and Indian airports, the unit rate increases for larger aircraft. At a few airports, for example, in Greece (excluding Athens), the variable rate successively increases and decreases as the weight of the aircraft rises.
