Major Australia and New Zealand airlines protest rising airport fees

THE biggest airlines in Australia and New Zealand on Thursday said they had formed a new industry advocacy group to combat rising airport fees charged by regional monopolies.

The Australia and New Zealand governments do not have the ability to regulate fees.

A report by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission this week said price hikes by Australia’s major airports had generated A$1.57 billion (US$1.18 billion) in increased revenue from airlines over the last decade.

The lobby group, which includes Qantas Airways Ltd, Air New Zealand Ltd, Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd and Regional Express Holdings Ltd, follows the creation of similar bodies in the US and Europe.

The group, called Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ), will be chaired by the former head of Australia’s competition regulator, Graeme Samuel.

“Airport fees and charges continue to increase while airlines are offering fares at levels significantly cheaper than over a decade ago,” Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said in a statement.

Air New Zealand chief executive Christoper Luxon said airlines’ ability to compete was being hampered by a legacy of under-investment and over recovery at key airports.

The lobby group would also weigh on issues such as lowering government taxes on passengers and ensuring international market access by rivals was reciprocal, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The Australian Airports Association and NZ Airports Association, which represent their respective countries’ airport operators, were not immediately available for comment. – Reuters

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Source: travelwireasia.com