Britain's Office of Communications (OFCOM) is proposing all users of U.K. airspace -- i.e., airports and air-navigation service providers -- should pay an "administrative incentive pricing" charge for using radio spectrum.According to the Association of European Airlines (AEA) the new pricing scheme is merely "a euphemism for tax" that will add 60 million ($105 million) a year to the U.K. treasury's coffers. AEA also points out that U.K. airlines, airports and general aviation (GA) will become less competitive, since no other governments charge.OFCOM's response is that it is simply suggesting that aviation and marine sectors be brought in line with other services that use the spectrum, including radio and television. Police and ambulance services are already charged.It is possible to comment here on the proposed charges until Oct. 30.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/features_old/across-the-pond-22-report-from-europe