New Zealand
AVIATION LANDSCAPE
The Importance Of Airlines For
New Zealand
New Zealand is an isolated island nation. Aotearoa is surrounded by 2000 kilometres of water - those who travel here must come by air or sea. Airlines provide critical connectivity, keeping New Zealanders connected to the world, and facilitating tourism and trade. Airlines and aviation businesses make face to face connections possible - from the handshake that closes the deal to the warm welcome home.
Airlines make international and domestic travel easy. New Zealand’s geography creates the mountains and valleys we are so well known for, and also means that the fastest way to cross our nation is often by air. The economic benefits of aviation are significant. Aviation makes it possible for millions of tourists to visit each year, supporting local businesses including hotels, restaurants and attractions. Visitors generate substantial revenue and help create jobs in the tourism sector.
Aviation plays a vital role in the transport of high value, perishable and critical products that must reach international markets quickly. Airlines are proud to deliver exports like New Zealand seafood, value-added dairy products and fresh produce to the world. Efficient air freight services support kiwi exporters by getting fresh product to international markets in a matter of hours.
In 2023 the total impact of airlines for New Zealand included:
14.2 Billion
(USD) Contribution to GDP - 5.6%
177,000
Jobs
217,000
Tonnes of air cargo handled
42
Direct connections to airports globally
Aviation is a competitive business. Airlines are constantly working to reduce costs so they are able to offer great prices for customers - without compromising safety or security and customer service. In the past 50 years, flight costs have decreased by 70% globally, making air transport more accessible, and the average real airfare in New Zealand decreased by 2.8% between 2011 and 2023. See the 2023 IATA county report
Despite a focus on cost reduction, airlines flying to New Zealand face ever increasing costs from a range of sources, including those from government agencies, service providers and airports.
To ensure they can continue deliver for all New Zealanders, airlines need:
Fair & Transparent Pricing
Assurance that the costs they pay are necessary, efficient, justified and represent value for money - and that costs do not involve cross-subsidisation by airlines and their customers of other parts of New Zealand’s aviation system.
Infrastructure & Services
Good quality, resilient, well planned and reasonably priced airport infrastructure, air navigation, border, aviation security and other services with streamlined and efficient operations and service improvements.
Regulation & Tourism Support
Effective and transparent economic regulation of monopoly airports and service providers to ensure fair prices. Concrete actions that promote New Zealand as a desirable tourism destination
Safety Frameworks
A world class safety and security regulatory framework that is internationally credible, adaptable,
risk-based and enabling.
BARNZ advocates on behalf of members for these and other outcomes across the Policy, Pricing and Operations areas.
