Relations between Auckland Airport and Air New Zealand seems to have taken a turn for the worse, as the carrier’s new ceo accuses New Zealand airports of offering Jetstar ‘sweetheart’ deals.
NZ ceo Nikhil Ravishankar has reportedly claimed that the country’s main domestic airports are giving JQ discounted landing fees, undercutting NZ on the most profitable routes. Both Auckland Airport and Jetstar have refuted these claims, with AKL telling Travel Today it is standard practice for airports globally to provide incentives to airlines that are growing new routes and services, and it states that it makes no apology for encouraging competition. “Airline competition brings enormous benefits to New Zealand, making air travel more affordable, reliable and accessible—something that all Kiwi consumers are wanting right now,” states a spokesperson for the airport. “By opposing incentives for airlines that compete with them, NZ, with their 84% market share, is essentially telling New Zealand’s regional airports and communities they should only accept the capacity that NZ is prepared to give them.”
. . . JQ Response
JQ ceo Stephanie Tully also told Newstalk ZB the reality is that airports will always look to have agreements. “They’re obviously incredibly confidential, and where airlines are growing, they will do agreements to attract growth.” She adds that all airlines can have those discussions and get discounts, with her advice to Ravishankar: “Just run your business.”
