Get ready to fly through departures at Auckland Airport

If you are leaving New Zealand from Auckland Airport on or after 1 July 2008 you will be delighted to learn you no longer need to pay a NZ$25 international departure fee. This is as a result of the long awaited transition to a new departure fee collection process. This is all set to start in a month’s time.

The departure fee is being replaced by a Passenger Services Charge (PSC). It will be levied by Auckland Airport on airlines, rather than travellers, based on the number of international arrivals and departures.

“Airport and airline customers have been telling us for some time that the old departure fee process was a genuine hassle.” Auckland Airport chief executive Don Huse said, “We are now looking forward to taking the old collection process link out of the chain from July and simplifying travel for everyone.”

“This change brings Auckland Airport into line with other major gateways around the world,” said Huse. “It will improve facilitation through to departure. It will be one thing less to worry about. It will reduce traveller processing time through Customs. Airline passengers will have a much easier and more streamlined departure experience.”

The travel and tourism industry has welcomed the move, with George Hickton, chief executive Tourism New Zealand saying, “Removing the old departure fee process will help to bring Auckland Airport into line with other major airports worldwide. It will help ease the departure process for international visitors who come to New Zealand every year. I am sure that will make their visit here even more enjoyable.”