Cancun, Q.R. — The company that manages the Cancun International Airport has been fined more than 72 million peso for what federal authorities say were unfair and monopolistic practices.
The fine of 72.5 million peso was given to the airport’s managing company Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (Asur) by la Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica for what they say is for denying new transport companies permission to enter the airport market.
La Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica says that they have determined that ASUR displayed an abuse of power toward interested transport companies to prevent entry into the airport market.
They report ASUR, in its capacity as a concessionaire of the terminal, is the only one that can lease the spaces and grant the access rights to taxis, ticket sellers and other services aimed at airport passengers.
They say in several cases, ASUR has influenced the issuing of federal transportation permits by making negative statements to prevent them from obtaining the necessary federal permits and, in one case, refused without just cause, to sign the access and lease contract as requested.
The commission explained that ASUR has incentives to prevent the entry of new bidders, since the fees charged to the permit holders for access to airport represents between 10 to 12 percent of the income of each trip. La Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica has also given ASUR 30 days to provide access to the information of transport agents who requested permission to run services from the airport.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (Asur) has already announced that they will challenge the ruling of La Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica.
