Commerce Commission confirms Auckland Airport prices are acceptable and regulatory regime is effective

31 July 2013

Auckland Airport says today's final report by the Commerce Commission shows that its international and domestic charges are acceptable, and that New Zealand's information disclosure regime for airports is effective.

Adrian Littlewood, Chief Executive, says, "the Commerce Commission’s final report confirms that our charges represent a fair deal for both airlines and the travelling public, and that our charges provide an acceptable return on the significant investment we are making in essential long-term infrastructure. The Commission has also confirmed that we are innovative and focused on delivering service quality and efficiency.”

"International benchmarking clearly shows that the total charges to operate at Auckland Airport are 'middle of the pack' compared with our peers, and domestically they are below the average for airports in this region."

Mr Littlewood says, "the Commerce Commission's final report is also evidence that New Zealand's information disclosure regime is working, and that Auckland Airport operates transparently and constructively. The Commission has recognised that we have made a number of positive changes to our historic approach to price setting during the short time information disclosure regulation has been in place.”

"The government and the tourism industry have invested significant resources to improve New Zealand’s ability to capture the growing international tourism market. Today's final report shows that Auckland Airport is playing its part to achieve that goal.”

Ends

For further information, please contact:

Simon Lambourne
+64 9 255 9089
+64 27 477 6120