Airport bids to keep new fees secret

Auckland International Airport has gone to the High Court to try to keep its controversial new landing fees secret.

It is seeking an injunction in the High Court to prevent the Air NZ releasing the proposed landing fees, which the airline previously said had "stunned and shocked" it.

Air NZ spokesman David Jamieson said yesterday's session - which was closed to the public - related to the airline's bid to release information the airport wanted kept secret.

Air NZ would not say why it wanted to reveal the information, but it is likely to do with the airline industry's battle with Auckland Airport over the landing charges.

The airline industry has been lobbying the Government and the public about the the regulatory regime, saying it has no power to negotiate the fees with Auckland Airport. Instead it has to accept the fees Auckland Airport charges.

Fees charged to airlines to land at the Mangere airport were last set in 2001 and are due to be reset by September next year.

The airport released a proposal to airlines in July.

The airline's chief financial officer Rob McDonald said at the time: "[The airport] is right at the top of worldwide landing fees already. It makes more money on a margin basis than any airport in the world."

Auckland Airport chief executive Don Huse has confirmed the airport was seeking clarification as "to certain confidential aspects" relating to aeronautical pricing discussions but was unable to comment further.