The airlines versus airport battle rumbles on in Auckland with the airport being accused of pocketing ‘excessive profits’ without providing the necessary quality services.
Earlier this week the Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand (BARNZ), which represents New Zealand airlines and aviation businesses, blasted the airport’s services as ‘simply not good enough’ despite the high fees.
Now trade group Airlines for Australian & New Zealand (A4ANZ) has weighed in.
The group made a submission to New Zealand’s competition watchdog the Commerce Commission, saying it needs to reign in ‘the market power exerted by monopoly airports.’
A4ANZ chairman Graeme Samuel said it is a monopoly ‘with excessive profits’ but lacks the necessary standards of service.
”Under the law as it stands, Auckland can give the single finger salute to the Commerce Commission and the airlines – it can charge what it likes."
Auckland Airport has acknowledged it has not kept pace with NZ’s booming tourism and fast growth in international arrivals.
It now handles about 20 million passengers a year.
A4ANZ represents most Australasian airlines including Air New Zealand, Qantas and Jetstar.
