Duty free price hike at airport

Shoppers hoping to save money in duty free may be disappointed by recent price hikes. Photo / Brett Phibbs

When checking in for international air travel costs so much time, travellers have consoled themselves with the thought of saving some money in duty free.

But those hoping to get a bargain might be disappointed to find prices have risen at Auckland International Airport.

Prices for many products, including alcohol, have increased since the airport expanded its duty free operations.

Last year, the airport backed down on plans for a single duty free provider, DFS Galleria, after receiving a warning from the Commerce Commission that this would breach the Commerce Act, and force travellers to pay higher prices for duty free products.

However, prices appear to have increased anyway.

An airport spokesman said some "core product lines" had been affected, including the longstanding offer of $55 for two bottles of spirits.

A recent traveller told the Herald on Sunday it was now more than $60 for two bottles of spirits, and the price to buy whisky had increased by around $5.

The airport is citing "vendor price adjustments" as the reason for the increases, which the airport spokesman says happens twice a year.

"We are aware many of the major international vendors recently reset their recommended prices for New Zealand region travel, across all New Zealand airports, in June," said the spokesman.

"As a result there have been increases from July in some core product lines, including the $55 for two offer, which is now no longer available."