On 18 January 2018, the Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic ("NCA") imposed a fine amounting to EUR 127,000 on the operator of M.R. `tefánik airport in Bratislava ("Bratislava Airport"), on the grounds of abuse of its dominant position.

In July 2016, Bratislava Airport introduced a fee amounting to EUR 49 ex. VAT for "VIP services" provided at the general aviation terminal. This fee had to be paid by every departing passenger passing through. It was not connected to the real provision of VIP services, but was payable upon entrance to the general aviation terminal, while the entrance to this terminal is already subject to a different fee. The charge in question has been introduced during Slovakia's presidency of the Council of the EU and included unlimited stay at the terminal, full assistance with the check-in and check-out processes, refreshments, assistance with luggage, free parking and free wifi connections. The above mentioned resulted in a situation, that even clients who did not intend to use such services, were charged as if they did.

Bratislava Airport has fully accepted the opinion of NCA, which led to a 30% reduction of the fine. Passing through the general aviation terminal is now free of charge.

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