August 10 1999
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hon Maurice Williamson
Minister of Transport
AIRPORT REGULATIONS TO PROTECT USERS
Regulations to give airport users greater protection against monopoly abuse have been approved by Transport Minister
Maurice Williamson.
"The regulations cover information disclosure requirements for airport authorities. They're part of a package of
measures developed under the Airport Authorities Amendment Act 1997 to deter airports from engaging in monopoly
pricing," said Mr Williamson.
That Act established a two-part regime to control monopoly abuse. The first is a requirement that airport companies
consult on capital expenditure plans and airside charges (such as the landing charges paid by the airlines, and
passengers' departure charges). The second part is a requirement that the companies disclose information.
Mr Williamson said the new regulations outlined a comprehensive disclosure regime to meet this requirment.
"There's no evidence that the airport companies are abusing their positions, so more prescriptive regulations are not
warranted."
The regulations:
set specific disclosure requirements for the charges, rate of return, asset valuations and reliability statistics and
require the disclosure of the statement of performance (profit and loss statement) and statement of position (balance
sheet) for the non-contestable side of the airport companies.
"These regulations have been the subject of extensive consultation with the three international airports and the
airlines, and the final wording reflects many of their views." Mr Williamson said.
The regulations come into force from 1 September 1999.
ENDS