Last $25 Departure Fee Start of a New Era at Auckland Airport

The departure, just before midnight on 30 June 2008, of the final international passenger to pay a $25 departure fee at Auckland Airport has signalled the start of a new era for passengers leaving New Zealand from Auckland.

Anyone leaving New Zealand from Auckland Airport now no longer needs 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.

The old departure fee is now a thing of the past and has been replaced by a Passenger Services Charge (PSC). This is levied by Auckland Airport onto airlines, rather than travellers, based on the number of international arrivals and departures. It is at the discretion of each airline as to how they handle this levy, with some airlines indicating they will be including it in their passenger ticketing, reflecting common practice in other markets.

“Travellers have very clearly told us that the old departure fee process was not an ideal final memory of New Zealand to take away with them” Auckland Airport chief executive Don Huse said, “so we are very pleased to start a new era of simplified departure experiences for everyone.”

“Auckland Airport is now in line with other major gateways around the world,” said Huse, “this change reduces processing time and gives travellers a much more streamlined departure. This exciting change is a continuation of our strong commitment to the New Zealand tourism industry and to the millions of passengers who travel through New Zealand’s major gateway.”

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the change to departure fees?
From 1 July 2008 travellers will no longer be required to pay an international departure fee at Auckland Airport. Historically, a charge has been paid by travellers via a $25 international departure fee at Auckland Airport. From 1 July a Passenger Services Charge (PSC) will be levied on airlines, rather than directly on travellers, based on the number of international arrivals and departures.

How much is the new levy?
The new PSC levy is $13 including GST. This levy will be payable for both departing and arriving travellers. It will increase by 50 cents (per international departure and arrival) each year for a further two years. All existing exemptions will still apply.

Why is Auckland Airport doing this?
This will bring Auckland Airport into line with common practice at other international airports around the world. It will greatly improve the departure process for departing travellers. Our market research consistently tells us that the current departure fee collection process is a major inconvenience for travellers.

When do the changes take place?
From 1 July 2008 the PSC will be levied on the airlines. From that date onwards travellers will not have to pay an international departure fee at Auckland Airport.

What happens to those travelling either side of 1 July 2008?
For travellers with itineraries that straddle 1 July 2008 there is little chance of them being overcharged or undercharged as the old process transitions to the PSC. Auckland Airport aims to ensure that travellers are not disadvantaged through this transition process. Each airline will be responsible for any necessary arrangements with respect to individual travellers which may arise as a result of the airline’s decision regarding its treatment of the PSC.