Nice Airport Takes on Tax Reduction Initiative

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport in the South of France has announced that it will reduce charges at the airport as of winter 2016/2017.

Following a proposal made by the Management to the Supervisory Board, the Aéroports de la Côte d'Azur Group has decided to reduce aeronautical fees, including a 2.5 percent reduction on passenger fees, during the summer months, which will be frozen for the next nine years. Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport is thus increasing its efforts to ensure the competitiveness of the air transport sector in France.

"We stand by our conviction: improved competitiveness will be the key to faster development. We accept this additional transfer of value to passengers and airlines,” said Dominique Thillaud, Chairman of the Board of Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur.

The airport also plans to freeze landing and parking charges in the summer season from 2016 to 2025 on the basis of 2015 summer rates, also for the next nine years.

A number of airlines have welcomed the initiative stating that the airport’s new strategy is perfectly aligned with the airlines’ strategy.

Lionel Guérin, Chief Operating Officer HOP! Air France, stated: "This initiative taken by Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport is perfectly aligned with HOP! Air France's strategy regarding the guarantee of lower costs on all its operations. I would like to congratulate the Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport for making this move, which has been eagerly awaited for many years. We hope that this initiative will be extended to other hubs in France.”

Nice Côte d’Azur airport is already one of the most competitive unsubsidised airports in France, and has strengthened its appeal on the European stage for airlines compared to its competitors.

The tax reductions will results in a transfer of value to passengers and airlines, estimated to be between 57 million and 72 million euros over the ten-year period.

Executive vice president commercial, sales and alliances, Air France-KLM, Patrick Alexandre has also welcomed the initiative, stating that it reinforces the ambition of Air France-KLM as the leading air transport group at the Nice hub, increasing its presence and traffic by region, from international destinations.

Didier Monges, Airline Operations and Development Business Unit Director said: "We are committed to a systematic quest for competitiveness with respect to our European competitors. All current and/or future airlines will benefit, without distinction, from this new ambition.”