Fort Smith (Dec 15/03) - The general manager for Northwestern Air Lease, based in Fort Smith, is unhappy with changes being made at Edmonton International Airport.

Gordon Bush said his company will not be allowed to operate through the Shell Aviation terminal building at Edmonton International Airport and, as a result, his costs will be going up.

Bush said the company doesn't pay for terminal improvement and airport security, but after Jan. 15 that will change as Northwestern Air Lease will be forced to move from the general aviation area and the Shell building to the main terminal of Edmonton International.

On top of having to pay for terminal improvements and airport security, Northwestern Air Lease will have to find handling agencies for their passengers, baggage, freight, as well as freight expediting, said Bush.

"Right now Shell does everything. They charge us $50 per landing," said Bush, explaining the low fee is arrived at because his company buys gas off Shell.

Once his company moves to the main terminal, Bush estimates his landing fees will be close to $300 per flight.

"The other kicker is $15 for airport terminal improvement fees. Then there's landed-seat charge which has just gone up another $4," he said.

Bush admitted that many of these costs could be passed onto customers. "They'll have to be passed on to somebody. We're going to try to make the impact as soft as we can but someone has to pay for it," he said.

Traci Bednard, spokesperson for Edmonton Airports, said there will be a forgiveness of seat fees for the first six months. She argued that in the end the rates and fees will be comparable.

There's also room for Northwestern Air Lease to continue in negotiations, said Bednard.

"We're open to supporting them. They're talking to us about if there's flexibility in terms of the timing of that move," she said.