Sydney Airport Corporation earlier this month circulated a letter to general aviation tenants proposing increases to parking and runway charges that in some cases exceed 2000%.
Sources within the Sydney business aviation community say that the intent of the charges is to drive away long-term general aviation to free-up space for regional airlines.
According to the letter, signed by General Manager Aviation Commerical Joe Walsh, the parking charge for a turnaround exceeding three hours for an aircraft with an MTOW of 5700 kg will increase from $140.00 to $3220.00, and the runway charge will jump from $6.91/kg with a minimum charge of $60, to $17/kg with a minimum charge of $340.00.
The parking charges, which become effective from 1 July this year, are contained in the following table.
| MTOW | Current Charge (ex. GST) | Varied Charge (ex. GST) |
| Up to 20,000 kg | $140.00 | $35.00 per 15 minute period of part thereof for the first 180 minutes per turnaround; or turnarounds in excess of 180 minutes, a total daily rate of $3220.00 |
| 20,001 to 40,000 kg | $190.00 | |
| > 40,000 kg | $280.00 |
"SYD proposes an adjustment to the Aircraft Parking Charge applicable to general aviation to better align with existing parking charges across the airport, promoting efficient use of the airfield and disincentivising long stay parking," the letter says.
With Western Sydney Airport shunning GA and Bankstown becoming increasingly impractical, the new charges have the general aviation community in the Sydney basin worried that fixed-base operators (FBO) will be unable to continue servicing business jets that use the airport for short-term stays.
Sydney International is currently home to ExecuJet, Corporate Air, Jet Aviation and Pel-Air Air Ambulance, all of which have premises on Ross Smith Avenue to the east of the domestic terminal.
Sydney Airport Corporation will keep the proposed new charges open for consultation and feedback until 19 May.
"Following consultation with air operators, and taking into account any feedback received, SYD will, in line with established practices, make an independent decision about any variations to its terms of access and aeronautical charges, and will notify [operators] in advance of any variation taking effect in accordance with our obligations.
"Airport users should also make independent decisions in relation to SYD’s charges."
Sydney GA operators are reportedly unhappy that the letter was sent out the day before Good Friday and the consultation period covers several public holidays and a general election period.