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Security guards have been called to eject angry travellers from Hamilton airport, after the passengers refused to pay a controversial new $5 airport tax.
Brought in just over two months ago, the tax is still causing consternation among travellers.
One passenger who took a flight last week said she and many others had been caught out by the introduction of the new levy.
"We were told to go back in the terminal and look for a woman in a blue uniform to pay our $5."
An airport worker, who did not wish to be identified, said that on at least two occasions passengers had been seen being escorted from the premises by security staff after failing to pay the levy.
There were regular complaints about the tax, said the worker.
Gisborne man Jackson Tilley said he did not realise he had to pay $5 when he arrived at the terminal yesterday.
"I feel pretty ripped off because I'm here for work. If I want to claim it back I'll have to get a receipt. I'll just accept it but maybe if I travelled all the time I wouldn't."
Airport chief executive Chris Doak said: "As far as I'm concerned things are going very smoothly, no passengers have ever missed a plane. From time to time people are redirected to buy their [departure] ticket. It's all very easy. Any rumours this is based on is just sensationalising things. There is absolutely no drama."
Customers could pay their tax at one of two self-serve electronic stations or by cash.
The airport worker said airport management had arranged for IOU forms to be filled in by departing passengers without cash, debit or credit cards.
"The development fee is well documented and signposted at the airport," Mr Doak said, although he acknowledged some customers were not aware of the charge before arriving at the terminal.
He said he had been regularly questioned on possible problems with the departure tax, but the issue had become "over-dramatised".
"It's happened at three other [regional] airports with no drama. I can't understand it, other than that some people don't like user pays."
About 155,000 domestic passengers leave the airport each year.
Air New Zealand is challenging the introduction of the $5 tax and is seeking a judicial review of the process through the Auckland High Court.
If the levy is found to be invalid, airport management will have to refund the fee to passengers who present their receipts. "I don't have any comment to make on how Air New Zealand views the development levy because it's before the courts," said Mr Doak.
Travel levy
* The tax was introduced on January 8 to cover the cost of the airport's upgrade, originally $11.44m but now estimated at $15.5m.
* The airport has not undergone any extensive work for more than 30 years.
