Brisbane Airport funding model for a second runway has been slammed by IATA The Federal Government has been called on to "take a firmer stance" in encouraging Brisbane Airport Corporation to find alternative ways of paying for the proposed new parallel runway. BRISBANE Airport's attempt to force airlines to pay for the much-needed second runway has been attacked by an international aviation leader. Director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association Tony Tyler said the approach would not be considered for any other form of major infrastructure. And he called on the Federal Government to "take a firmer stance" in encouraging Brisbane Airport Corporation to find alternative ways of paying for the proposed new parallel runway. The $1.3 billion project is planned for completion by 2020. By then passenger numbers are expected to more than double from 21 million a year to 50 million. The Courier-Mail's #bnelateagain campaign has highlighted frustrations over existing chronic flight delays and the urgent need for the additional runway. But BAC says without agreement from the airlines to fund a quarter of the cost through higher per-passenger landing charges over the eight-year construction period, it cannot commit to starting stage two - which has to happen by the end of this year to meet the target date. Major airlines have opposed the approach for two years. Qantas remains adamant, but Virgin Australia broke ranks last month, signing a 10-year infrastructure agreement with airport chiefs. While Virgin says it is still against pre-funding, the deal does include support for the new runway. IATA, which represents 240 airlines worldwide including Qantas and Virgin, says it is concerned about the model. "We would not consider such financing for other major infrastructure projects," Mr Tyler told the National Aviation Press Club in Sydney this week. Imagine trying to charge users of an existing secondary road for a super highway, the benefit of which others will eventually enjoy. Qantas had earlier rejected a suggestion from airport bosses for a $2.50 to $3.50 passenger levy - likened by BAC chairman Bill Grant to "a cup of coffee." In his speech Mr Tyler used the same comparison to highlight how slim airline profit margins are. In 2012, the $2.50 per passenger that airlines earned was enough to buy a cup of coffee in most places. This year, we expect a 1.8 per cent net profit margin. If we are right, the industry will earn on average $4 per passenger. That may be enough for a sandwich - but it is nowhere near the returns that our investors expect. Mr Tyler said delays to aviation infrastructure jeopardised Australia's economic future. Australia needs to do business with Asia. But if it does not have the capacity to connect with its trading partners, that is going to be difficult - the business will go elsewhere. He also urged the Federal Government to make a decision on the construction of a second Sydney airport. Australian Airports Association CEO Caroline Wilkie dismissed the criticism of pre-funding. "The airlines need to be partners in these projects because, without them, they will not happen," she said.