top of page
Header - Nz Aviation Landscape.png

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.

passengers seated inside aircraft, highlighting the role of aviation in connecting New Zealanders.
aaron-sebastian-bfgEYpS0Znk-unsplash.jpg

In 2023 the total impact of airlines for New Zealand included:

Dollar symbol icon representing the contribution of aviation to New Zealand’s GDP.

14.2 Billion

(USD) Contribution to GDP - 5.6%

Icon representing employment, used to highlight the number of jobs supported by New Zealand’s airline industry.

177,000

Jobs

Icon of cargo boxes symbolising air freight, representing the volume of air cargo handled in NZ.

217,000

Tonnes of air cargo handled

42

Airplane icon representing international flight routes and global connectivity.

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:

Money bag icon illustrating economic benefits and aviation-related revenue.

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.

Icon of air traffic control and infrastructure, indicating the importance of resilient aviation services.

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.

Globe icon symbolising tourism and international connections supported by aviation.

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

Shield icon representing New Zealand’s world-class aviation safety and regulatory frameworks.

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.

Visual infographic explaining BARNZ’s advocacy efforts across aviation policy, pricing and operations.
bottom of page