Plans for a new pricing structure to cover major UK airports have been announced by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The authority outlined a possible new approach to charging which could relate to the standard of facilities at airports. The CAA may also decide to take increased account of airports' successful shopping and car parking businesses when fixing charges.

At present airlines at Heathrow have to pay airport operator BAA the equivalent of just under £5 per passenger. The figure for Gatwick is just under £4, while Stansted airlines pay a little less than those at Gatwick, and Manchester airlines pay more than £7.

The authority will announce its decision on the new charges in 2002 and the charges will take effect for five years from April 2003.

"It is our aim, through the charges, to get the sort of services that passengers and airlines want," said CAA group economic regulation director, Doug Andrew.

Anna Lagerkvist