Passenger Terminal Today
Elizabeth Baker
03 April 2025
The New Zealand Commerce Commission has published its final report on Auckland Airport’s 2022-2027 price-setting event (PSE4), concluding the airport’s forecast revenue is excessive and its targeted returns are unreasonably high, but its forecast investment falls within a reasonable range. Auckland Airport has said in response that it will discount its prices for airline passenger charges. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for urgent changes to New Zealand’s economic regulatory framework for airports.
Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington are subject to information disclosure regulation under Part 4 of the Commerce Act. The regulation is intended to improve the transparency of each airport’s performance around profits, investment, pricing and service levels – and determine if the airport’s pricing decisions and expected performance promote the long-term benefit of consumers.
The commission does not set the prices charged by the three airports. Under the Airport Authorities Act 1966, the airports set prices as they see fit, but are required to consult substantial customers, like airlines, on charges and any major capital expenditure plans.
