Heathrow airport has been given the go-ahead to hike passenger charges by up to 76 percent. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced its plan to raise the cap on the west London airport’s average charge per passenger from the current level of £19.60 ($26.80) to between £24.50 and £34.40 ($33.60 and $47.20). The airline industry branded Heathrow a “monopoly-abusing hub airport.” Under the proposals, the exact charge will depend on factors such as passenger demand and commercial revenue, with prices higher if Heathrow continues to struggle in those areas. The range is planned to come in effect from summer 2022, with an interim cap of £30 ($41) being introduced on January 1. Charges are paid by airlines but are generally passed on to passengers in airfares. Luis Gallego, chief executive of British Airways’ parent company IAG, said Heathrow is “already the world’s most expensive hub airport” and the “disproportionate increase” in …