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Legal action taken by Air New Zealand against planned landing fee increases at Auckland International Airport will be "strongly defended", the airport company says.
On Friday Air NZ said it was it had filed proceedings in the High Court at Auckland seeking a judicial review of the planned landing fee increases.
Earlier this month New Zealand's largest airport announced it would increase landing charges for airlines by 2.5 per cent a year for the next five years, with the first rise taking effect on September 1.
The airport also plans to increase its $25 development charge, currently levied on departing passengers, by $1 a year for three years from July 1, 2008.
Today the airport said Air NZ's claim was without merit.
Airport chief executive Don Huse said the action brought by Air NZ was most unfortunate. It would be strongly defended by the airport.
The airport had consulted for three years about the new charges, in accordance with the law and best practice, Mr Huse said.
"AIAL (the airport) is entering the final year of a four-year, $500 million capital expenditure programme. A fair and reasonable pricing framework that incentivises airport investment is crucial."
- NZPA
