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Auckland Airport overcharging airline passengers rules competition regulator
April 2nd 2025
Auckland Airport has reduced its airline passenger charges after the Commerce Commission of New Zealand found the airport’s forecast revenue was “excessive” and its targeted returns “excessively high”. Read More » The commission’s final report also ruled Auckland Airport’s forecast investment was within a reasonable range. “The airport is targeting excess profit of about NZ$190 million (US$108 million) and its charges are too high, with businesses and consumers likely to end up carrying much of the cost burden,” Commissioner Vhari McWha said. Auckland Airport CEO, Carrie Hurihanganui, said the airport accepted the commission’s findings. “Since receiving an embargoed copy of the report, we have worked to apply price discounts for the remainder of the pricing period,” she said. “These discounts will bring our prices within a range the Commerce Commission found to be reasonable.” International Air Transport Association regional vice president for North Asia and the Asia Pacific, Xie Xingquan, said: “While the airport has responded by lowering its charges for the next two years in response to the review, the process highlights that the economic regulatory framework in its current form is not fit for purpose and change is urgently needed.”
