Airlines faces 23.5 pct rise in Heathrow charges

LONDON, March 11 (Reuters) - Britain's aviation industry regulator said on Tuesday that London's crowded Heathrow airport would be allowed to charge airlines 23.5 percent more in the year starting April 1, more than it had originally envisaged.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said Heathrow, owned by BAA, a unit of Spanish construction group Ferrovial FER.MC, would be allowed to charge 12.8 pounds per passenger in 2008-9, and increase this amount by no more than retail price inflation plus 7.5 percent in the subsequent four years.

The CAA had proposed a price cap of 11.97 pounds in November, but said it was increasing this to take account of the need for additional investment and security. (Reporting by Mark Potter)