Unreasonably high security and rent fees at Canadian airports are gouging travellers and airlines alike, the head of an international aviation organization says.

Giovanni Bisignani, CEO of the International Air Transport Association, which represents 250 airports around the world, told a Vancouver Board of Trade luncheon Monday that Ottawa collected $1.2 billion in air traveller security fees between 2002 and 2005.

According to the Canadian Airports Council, Ottawa will receive nearly $290 million this year in airport rent taxes.

But only $800 million was used for airport security, he said

"I will be polite and characterize this skyway robbery as very unfair to the passengers." 

Some of the remaining funds were used to fund marine, rail and public transport security, he said. Bisignani suggested that it's unreasonable to force air travellers to subsidize security for other modes of transportation.

Airlines forced to pay more in landing fees

He also noted the federal government's rent fees are exceptionally high, prompting the airports to charge the airlines more in landing fees. Bisignani said Toronto's Pearson International Airport is the most expensive airport in the world for landing a 747 airliner.

Canada is one of three countries in the world to charge Crown rents for its airports, with only Peru and Ecuador levying similar fees.

According to the Canadian Airports Council, which represents the country's airports, Ottawa will receive nearly $290 million this year in airport rent taxes.

The Greater Toronto Airport Authority has launched a fair rent campaign, seeking a better deal from the federal government.

The GTAA says it paid $151.8 million in rent to Ottawa in 2006, but none of it was reinvested in the airport.