Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is profi ting at the expense of airlines by abusing its monopoly status by imposing excessive landing and parking charges, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) claimed at its 63rd annual general meeting held in Vancouver lastmonth.

The meeting also heard that the airport operators in Auckland, Sydney, Hong Kong, Seoul and Johannesburg had reaped profi t margins of more than 40 percent, while airlines have seen their cost savings – $1.9 billion last year – diminished by the increased airportcosts, the Bangkok Post reported.

“This is outrageous and I will continue to embarrass them with facts and fi gures,” IATA director-general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani said. “Look at the fi nancial results of airports. Clearly, it’s a dream world for them but a nightmare for airlines that pay the bills.”

Last year, airports around the world added $1.97 billion to airlines’ bills.