Court blocks airline's 'public interest' bid to reveal planned airport fees

Air New Zealand's bid to disclose Auckland International Airport's proposed landing and passenger charges has been stopped by the High Court.

An injunction granted yesterday blocked the airline's move.

The proposed charges "stunned and shocked" the airline, and it said it was in the public interest to discuss them publicly.

But airport chief executive Don Huse said Air New Zealand voluntarily entered into a confidential agreement, and its "legal posturing" was to promote its commercial interests.

"We were somewhat surprised by Air New Zealand's threat," said Huse.

"By having commercial-in-confidence negotiations, we and the airlines are then able to supply a lot more detailed information to each other with the intention of allowing a far more robust exchange of views and discussion on the pricing options."

Fees charged to airlines for use of the Mangere airport were last set in 2001 and are to be reset by September next year.

The airline industry says it has no power to negotiate with the airport, and must accept the fees charged.