Aviation tax rising

Aviation taxes are set to rise to pay for beefed-up security requirements resulting from the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

The Transport Ministry expects to raise the domestic aviation security levy in July or August and might raise the international departure tax.

At present anyone leaving New Zealand pays a $25 departure tax. Security charges are $4 a person per sector for international flights and $2.80 for domestic flights, but only on planes carrying 90-plus passengers.

Associate Transport Minister Harry Duynhoven said: "We're talking 10c or maybe $1."