An Issues Paper on Melbourne Airport's Access Undertaking was released by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today.
On 11 March 1998, Melbourne Airport lodged an access undertaking with the ACCC. The undertaking is the first to be formally lodged by an airport and was lodged under the new access provisions in the Trade Practices Act. Other airports are expected to follow within the next 12 months.
The undertaking establishes the terms and conditions for airport users to access a range of services at Melbourne Airport. The undertaking covers services provided by 'airside' facilities; international terminal passenger processing areas; and aircraft refuelling, equipment storage, cargo, maintenance and 'landside' vehicle facilities. "If accepted by the ACCC, the undertaking will be important in establishing fair and reasonable terms for airlines and other airport users to obtain access to airport services," ACCC Chairman, Professor Allan Fels, said today.
"Providing access to facilities such as airports is an essential element of competition reform and should promote competition in the provision of services at airports." In its Issues Paper, the ACCC has raised a number of questions about Melbourne Airport's proposed pricing methodology, the enforcement of the undertaking and the obligations of the airport operator. If the ACCC does not accept the undertaking some airport services will be automatically 'declared' as of July 1998.
The ACCC is promoting industry discussion on the undertaking and encourages submissions from interested parties. Due to the tight legislative timetable, the ACCC must receive submissions by 24 April 1998. The ACCC is promoting industry discussion on the undertaking and encourages submissions from interested parties.
Copies of the ACCC Issues Paper and Melbourne Airport's Access Undertaking are available from Catherine Maloney on (03) 9290 1856 or on the ACCC's web site.