By Eugene Bingham
Aircraft charged for flying above the America's Cup regatta should be billed only for the cost of policing the airspace, says a parliamentary committee.
Auckland aviators are concerned that proposed legislation establishing a controlled airspace above the event is making the sky for sale, and setting a dangerous precedent.
But
a select committee considering the legislation has defended the organiser's right to charge for entry to the zone, on the condition it is for the recovery of costs.
"We are concerned that the bill should not be seen as a precedent for charging for access to airspace in the future," the committee said in its report on the Civil Aviation Amendment Bill.
A clause setting a date for the expiry of the law at the end of the regatta emphasised that it was a one-off provision.
"However, it does appear that current provisions are not sufficient to manage airspace during such an event, and this bill is intended to provide the certainty needed to ensure a successful regatta."
Up to 60 aircraft are expected to be buzzing over the Hauraki Gulf during races from October to next March next year.
The bill sets up an accreditation system for access to the area above the yacht races.
The committee of MPs decided that the procedure for setting a charge should be open to scrutiny from operators.
"We believe a disclosure provision which requires the event organiser to provide information on costs to be recovered will provide a more open process."
The secretary of the Auckland Airspace Users Group, Qwilton Biel, said the group was still concerned it might become more common for event organisers to take control of particular sections of the sky.
"I accept there is a sunset clause, but just the mere fact they are putting this legislation in place makes it easier for someone else, further down the track," said Mr Biel.
"It blazes a trail - I expect other major events organisers will be watching what happens at the America's Cup."
The regatta organiser, AC2000, say special controls are needed for safety, and to ensure television coverage of the event is unimpeded.
