Airports charge airlines big fees for the privilege of landing on their runways on certain days or times, and these ‘landing slots’ are rigorously sold or traded between airlines.

The £56.3million ($75m) paid by Oman Air to Air France-KLM for a prized early morning arrival slot at Heathrow remains the highest amount paid. But the escalating value of these slots in turn bumps up passenger fares – by up to £91 ($121) according to the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority.

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Airport secrets officials don't want you to know