Panel: Are Australian/New Zealand airport charges “fare”? Unpacking the economic reality of airport privatisation
Australasia’s airports and airlines exist in an uncomfortable dichotomy. Each relies on the other, yet both have accused the other of taking advantage of market power, whether it's charging excessive airport fees or inflating airfares on regional routes, depending on who is levelling the accusation.
Despite a number of Productivity Commission reviews supporting the current regulatory framework, A4ANZ claims that airport charges have provided one of the biggest roadblocks to fleet renewal and route development and that airports have abused their monopolistic power to capture “a disproportionate share” of Australia’s aviation growth, citing Frontier Access reports .
AAA argues such claims “ignored the robust negotiations between airlines and airports that take place across the country to deliver runways, terminals and technology to meet passenger needs”. The airport body has also expressed concerns over the airline industry’s market power, arguing “the domestic airline duopoly disadvantages the passenger – particularly in the regions”.
In this debate both A4ANZ and AAA will be given equal opportunity to share their views on the economic reality in the post airport privatisation environment and what this has really meant for airlines, airports and - most importantly - the consumer.
Moderator: CAPA - Centre for Aviation, Executive Chairman, Peter Harbison
Panellists:
- Airlines for Australia & New Zealand, CEO, Alison Roberts
- Adelaide Airport, Managing Director, Mark Young
- Australian Airports Association, Chief Economist, Warren Mundy
- Qantas Airways, Group Executive, Government, Industry, International, Environment, Andrew Parker