Auckland Airport to appeal Commerce Commission determination

Thursday 17th February 2011

Auckland International Airport will appeal the Commerce Commission's determination over input methodologies for airport information disclosure regulation.

Airport spokesman Charles Spillane said the airport recognised the purpose of regulation in protecting consumers.

"However Auckland Airport also believes that the information disclosure regime was meant to be a light-handed form of regulation that appropriately reflects the unique nature of the airport sector," he said.

The airport wanted an appropriate balance between consumer interests and fair and reasonable incentives for long-term investment and innovation, he said.

Auckland Airport was focused on delivering value to consumers and investing in the long-term infrastructure.

"All of this needs to be done on the basis that a fair and reasonable return can be made on that investment."

A regulatory framework which got the balance right was "absolutely essential" to encourage investment needed to drive growth in the tourism industry.

The merits appeal was intended to address aspects of the final determination which the airport believed did not sufficiently balance consumer and investor interests, he said.

Yesterday, Vector, the Auckland-based lines and power company, said it was appealing the commission's decisions over input methodologies for the electricity distribution sector.

NZPA

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