Travellers leaving New Zealand from Auckland Airport on or after the 1st of July 2008 will no longer require paying an international departure fee of NZ$25. This is on account of the long awaited change to a fresh departure fee collection process. All this is set to start off in the course of a month.
The old departure fee is being traded by a new Passenger Services Charge (PSC), which will be charged by Auckland Airport from the airlines, rather than customers, based on the number of international departures and arrivals.
Don Huse, chief executive of Auckland Airport, said, "Airport and airline customers have been telling us for some time that the old departure fee process was a genuine hassle. We are now looking forward to taking the old collection process link out of the chain from July and simplifying travel for everyone".
Huse further said, "This change brings Auckland Airport into line with other major gateways around the world. It will improve facilitation through to departure. It will be one thing less to worry about. It will reduce traveller processing time through Customs. Airline passengers will have a much easier and more streamlined departure experience".
Tourism New Zealand chief executive, George Hickton, said, "Removing the old departure fee process will help to bring Auckland Airport into line with other major airports worldwide.
It will help ease the departure process for international visitors who come to New Zealand every year. I am sure that will make their visit here even more enjoyable".
