MEDIA RELEASE 14 August 2008
Wellington Airport defends ongoing investment programme and modest price increases
Wellington International Airport Limited (WIAL) will strongly defend judicial review proceedings brought by Air New
Zealand regarding the setting of WIAL’s new landing charges. These charges were effective from 1 July 2007.
The increase in aeronautical revenue averaged 2.5% per annum reflecting no change to the international passenger charge
and a 2.85%per annum. increase in airline charges (equivalent to 30c per passenger on jets and less on regional
aircraft).
The Airport’s charges are reset every five years with this change being the first since 2002. The increase in charges
is directly related to the cost associated with the airport’s $85 million investment in enhanced runway safety and the
work that is underway to upgrade the international terminal and aircraft facilities to relieve existing congestion and
to cope with forecasted passenger growth. WIAL consulted comprehensively and constructively with the airlines for 12
months before setting the new charges.
“Wellington Airport is acutely aware of its statutory obligations in setting its landing fees and it is our view that
we have undertaken the process thoroughly and will strongly defend the claims made by Air New Zealand”, said Mike
Basher, Acting CEO.
“The regulation of Airports in New Zealand has a track record of producing good investment in facilities and prices
which are still low on a comparative international basis. Anyone who has travelled through airports such as Heathrow
would also be acutely aware of the consequence of under-investing in facilities. The existing regime and the outcome of
this consultation has, we believe, produced a good outcome.”
ENDS