Air NZ slams Auckland Airport for 'greed' over super-jet costs

Air NZ has accused Auckland Airport of behaving like an "unconstrained monopolist" over plans to get the airline to pay for facilities to be used by its competitors but not by itself.

Chief executive Ralph Norris is angry that his airline is being asked to help to pay for preparations for the arrival of the new Airbus A380.

Rivals Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Emirates have ordered the 550- seat jet, which will need wider runways and other changes at the airport.

Mr Norris said Air NZ would not subsidise rivals. Expecting it to do so was "nothing short of greed and the behaviour of an unconstrained monopolist".

The airline, which has announced a flat half-year profit of $102 million, is also upset that Auckland Airport - which reported a 20 per cent lift in its half-year result - is looking at a $100-300 million return to shareholders while facilities are "severely congested", particularly at Christmas.