Chicago City Council Passes Concession Recovery Fee
Under the plan approved by the Chicago City Council, customers could be charged an 11% concession recovery fee at the O’Hare and Midway airports. The vote also allows the airport to enter access agreements with off-airport rental car companies.
According to Dec. 12 meeting minutes from the Chicago City Council, the council approved a concession recovery fee for on-airport rental car companies at O’Hare and Midway airports. The fee was proposed back in January.
In a 49-0 vote, the city council approved the 11% fee for all customers and lifted a restriction that only allowed a concession recovery fee on business rentals.
The vote will also allow the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation to enter into airport access agreements with off-airport rental car companies. Companies that enter an agreement may also charge a concession recovery fee at no more than 10% of gross revenues. The commissioner can also prohibit the use of airport roadways and facilities on companies that refuse to enter into an access agreement.
Related news: Alabama Airport Approves Rental Fee Increase
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