Originally Posted by Nicc HK
The reason for mentioning about specific airport levies is that on a global basis some airports charge a passenger fee that is related to and funds the airports development. I believe Vancouver is a case in point.
Exactly. That was, and still is, the rationale behind airport taxes, ie they fund airport development/improvements.
The UK is different, as I mentioned earlier, in that the so-called "airport tax" (officially called APD) passengers pay when departing a UK airport goes straight to the government ... the airport doesn't receive a penny it.
BAA plc (which operates almost all major UK airports which include Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Edinburgh and Glasgow) is a private company. It raises funds for development from landing fees, concession charges (ie "on airport" car rental, hotels, food outlets etc).