Wellington Airport denies excessive charges

The International Air Transport Association is pulling no punches in its latest review of Wellington Airport's financial situation.

The association claims the airport had a profit margin of 75 per cent, which is "an embarrassment" and puts it amongst the highest in the world.

However, Wellington Airport chief executive Simon Draper says the figures the association has chosen are selective.

He says when they get around the table to set the fees with the airlines, there is no room for any skullduggery.

Mr Draper says it is an excruciatingly detailed process, with every adjustment having to be justified. He says they can be taken to court if they set the charges too high, which has happened in the past.

He says much has been made of their 75 per cent increase in landing charges in 2002, but it only amounted to around $3.50 per flight, adding they now have a state of the art new terminal to show for it.

However, Air New Zealand's chief financial officer Rob McDonald is not buying the claims that Wellington's fees are similar to comparably-sized airports in Cairns or Adelaide.

He says the amount the airport charges for an Airbus A-320 to depart is significantly higher than the two Australian airports, and there is only so much the airline can absorb.

Rob McDonald says at the end of the day, they simply have to fly into Wellington, so they have to pay what the airport wants, and pass the costs onto the consumer.

- NEWSTALK ZB