Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 22, 2007 8:03:53 GMT 12
Security charges push up air fares
5:00AM Thursday November 22, 2007
By Juliet Rowan
Prices of air tickets are likely to rise following increases to aviation security charges for domestic and international passengers.
Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven announced the increases yesterday, saying they were necessary to maintain a high level of aviation security and to meet standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
"In today's heightened security environment, this rise in aviation passenger security charges is a small price to pay for safety," he said.
Aviation security charges will rise by more than $2, from $12.56 to $15, for each departing international passenger.
For domestic passengers, the charge will increase $1.11, from $3.57 to $4.68.
The fee increases follow a $4.25 hike in the international aviation security charge early this year and add to the array of levies and surcharges air passengers already pay.
The latest changes come into effect on December 13, and airlines said last night that they were reviewing fare prices as a result.
Air New Zealand indicated it would raise fares by the same level as the charges.
"Airlines collect these charges on behalf of the Government and will continue to do so," the airline said. "Naturally, any increase in these charges will see an equivalent increase in the overall cost of travel."
Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue Airlines said there could be "slight adjustments" to some of their fares.
On March 31, the international aviation security charge rose from $8.31 to cover the cost of new screening of liquids, aerosols and gels.
A small component of the charge also went to cover screening for traces of explosives in hand baggage.
There has been no increase in the domestic charge since 2005.
The domestic charge is levied on aircraft that seat 90 or more people, and the international charge is levied on airlines, which mostly pass the charges on to passengers.
The new fees have been set for three years.
New security measures include screening of airport workers, due to start early next year.
Aviation security charges also pay for passenger screening, screening of hold luggage, airport perimeter security, explosive detection dog teams and other services provided by the Aviation Security Service (Avsec).
Avsec general manager Mark Everitt said some of the additional fees would go to enhanced screening of people working at airports and to background vetting of applicants before they were issued with airport identity cards.
He said the measures were "driven by New Zealand's international obligations". Passengers would not notice any changes to security, but airport workers would.
Auckland International Airport also said there would be no affect on passenger flow.
From July next year, departure taxes at New Zealand airports will also be included in ticket prices.
AVIATION SECURITY LEVIES
* Increasing on December 13 by $2.44 to $15 for international passengers and by $1.11 to $4.68 for domestic passengers.
www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=113&objectid=10477583
