iscover
Qantas said the added transparency would vindicate its consistent denial of “slot hoarding” accusations, while Virgin and Bonza have labelled the changes "a step in the right direction".
The carrier says Auckland Airport’s multi-billion-dollar redevelopment, to take place over 10 years and be funded in part by increases to aeronautical charges, will lead to “unaffordable airfares for some Kiwis”. It has lodged an official request with NZ Commerce Minister Andrew Bayly for an inquiry.
Under the proposed system announced on Wednesday, Sydney would be allowed 85 flight movements per hour instead of 80 for a maximum of two hours on days where major disruptions occur, which would result in fewer cancellations and overnight delays.
Labor says its reforms will increase transparency around slot allocation, hold airlines accountable for “misuse” of slots and introduce a “recovery period” after major delays.
Appearing at Senate Estimates last week, Celia Perkins, deputy secretary, Security and Estate at Defence, confirmed that Wagga City Council has a 30-year lease on the airport that commenced in 1995 and runs out in 2025. The airport shares runways and facilities with RAAF Base Wagga.
The airport advised Qantas domestic passengers on Monday morning that they may be impacted by the technical fault, which has not affected international passengers or those travelling on other domestic airlines.
