Fitch Ratings is enhancing its rating criteria for airports with a new type of scale that that more accurately gauges how much leverage airports throughout the world can carry on their balance sheets in relation to their cash flow, according to the rating agency's updated criteria report. The guidance in question is an indicative rating table for airport leverage with varying upper and lower ranges for each rating category derived from the combined assessments for both Revenue Risk - Volume and Revenue Risk - Price. This will provide a more transparent analysis for key financial metrics and credit resilience through an economic cycle. 'Airports that have stronger attributes for volume and/or price can absorb higher leverage,' said Senior Director Seth Lehman. 'Conversely, weaker airports have more limited leverage tolerance at each rating category,' Volume and price revenue risk are key factors Fitch will use in its analysis of airports going forward, along with criteria mainstays like infrastructure development/renewal, debt structure and the financial profile of an airport. The full report is available on the Fitch web site at www.fitchratings.com.