WELLINGTON: Air New Zealand is teaming up with rival airlines to form a trans-Tasman aviation lobby group to tackle – among other things – the fees and facilities at the airports they use.
Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, TigerAir Australia and Regional Express (Rex) will join Air New Zealand as founding members of Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ).
Airport services and charges are high on the agenda with Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon calling them out as the group was launched.
“Australia and New Zealand must compete for visitors on the world stage against many other attractive destinations,” Luxon said.
Qantas boss Alan Joyce echoed the sentiment, saying: “Airport fees and charges continue to increase while airlines are offering fares at levels significantly cheaper than they were over a decade ago”.
“A4ANZ’s goal is to achieve regulatory reform that will promote a competitive and sustainable airline industry in the interests of Australian and New Zealand travellers,” Joyce said.
In New Zealand, airports consult airlines on landing fees every five years. While the charges are a big cost for the airlines, they make up only a small part of most passenger ticket prices.
Graeme Samuel, the former chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, has been appointed as chairman to lead a board made up of a representative from each member airline. He has 40 years of leadership experience in public service, law and investment banking.
A chief executive will be appointed in coming months.
Virgin Australia chief executive John Borghetti said : “Aviation is one of the greatest enablers of tourism, trade and economic growth in our region, so it’s absolutely critical that airports operate efficiently and that investment in infrastructure benefits travellers”.
A4ANZ will stand apart from airline lobby group Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand of which all airlines flying to and within New Zealand are members. The A4ANZ group was announced overnight and airports have not yet had a chance to comment.
Virgin and Air New Zealand currently work together on flights and rewards on trans-Tasman routes. Qantas has a global alliance with Emirates.
