Taxes keep cost of Aussie flights high

Photo / Brett Phibbs

Taxes and security levies are keeping the cost of flights to and from Australia at unfairly high levels, according to a travel agent.

Flight Centre Ltd in Australia analysed return fares available between Auckland and Sydney.

It says that while the prices are low, they could be lower if taxes and security levies between Australia and New Zealand were wiped.

The travel agent said tickets for the busiest route between the two countries could be as low as $121.

"The hefty tax component is significantly increasing the price that travellers have to pay," managing director Graham Turner said.

The company said that departure taxes alone cost $70 - $47 on leaving Australia and $23 on leaving NZ.

Flight Centre Ltd said the move to scrutinise transtasman airfares came after Jetstar boss Bruce Buchanan suggested dropping immigration and passenger checks between New Zealand and Australia.

Mr Turner said if those extra costs were dropped, that would only bring benefits for everyone involved, as it would boost the number of people travelling between the countries.

"Undoubtedly, this will stimulate further growth in passenger traffic between the two countries and create further economic benefits," he said.

Double up

Sample ticket: $251 return

Airfare: $121

Departure tax (Aus): $47

Security levy (Aus): $51.16

Security charge (NZ): $9

Passenger services charge (NZ): $23