Absolutely.

These are a huge expense line, largely because airports and navigation systems are expensive, and need to recoup their costs.

Landing fees vary depending upon the airport and the size of the aircraft. In addition to these, the airline must also pay for gate use (which also varies by aircraft size), non-gate apron parking, security, turnaround services, office rental, lounge rental, baggage systems, vehicle parking, etc.

See, http://www.yvr.ca/generalinfo/doingb...%5Fcharges.htm for YVR's fees.

An A320 has an MTOW of 77000 kg. Every time one lands at YVR, it costs $327.25 in landing fees, $171.27 in gate fees, up to $81 in security inspection fees, up $385 in turnaround fees, for about $964 in fees for a domestic operation. An A320 can easily do 3 operations a day (some might do only 2 YYZYVR, but others could do 8 or 10 YVR YYC)

As the size of aircraft goes up, so do the costs. An international operation of a 340 (275,000 kg MTOW) involves $1721 (landing), $884 (gate), around $200 in security, and around $700 in turnaround, for $3505.

Using a conservative estimate of $3000 per day, per aircraft in the mainline fleet (excl. the RJs and the Regionals), each aircraft costs over $1m per year in direct airport fees. With around 130 aircraft, that's over $130m in direct fees.

The RJ's and regional carrier aircraft also cost (they tend to do more operations, which outweighs their cheaper fees). In addition, there are navigation fees, and the indirect airport costs (like lounges, offices, counters, use of baggage caroussels, etc.).

For Q1 2000, AC's operating statement shows $121m in airport and navigation fees.

Fuel has made a huge jump--for Q1 2000 AC spent over 200m, but Q1 1999 was a more modest 123m (as compared with $106m in airport and navigation fees in Q1 1999).