KEY POINTS:
Air New Zealand has finally broken its silence on the takeover bid by Dubai Aerospace Enterprise for Auckland International Airport.
The company says airports should not be linked to airlines and that it will make a submission to the Overseas Investment Commission.
"It is Air New Zealand's strong view that the owner of Auckland International Airport Limited should not be linked in any form to an airline, so that there is no possibility of preferential treatment of any kind that would disadvantage any other operator," it said.
DAE is owned by the Government of Dubai, which also owns the Emirates airline. DAE's chairman Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum is also chairman of Emirates.
DAE has denied it would give favourable treatment to Emirates, saying it would seek to increase traffic from all airlines flying into Auckland.
Air NZ said the ownership of the airport was a matter for its shareholders and the Government. However, it added: "Air New Zealand intends to make a detailed submission to the Overseas Investment Commission."
The Kiwi airline has long complained about what it says are excessive landing fees charged by Auckland airport.
"All that Air New Zealand seeks is an effective regulatory framework that ensures an end to the monopoly abuse that sees travellers and airlines using this important gateway to our nation being burdened with excessive charges," it said yesterday.
Air NZ said it wanted a judicial review of recent charges imposed by Auckland airport and had yesterday filed proceedings with the High Court at Auckland.
"The demanded landing fee increases of 13 per cent over five years will add millions of dollars of cost to travellers, for no benefit," the airline said.
