The New Zealand Commerce Commission has released its final report on Auckland Airport's pricing for the period from 2022 to 2027, concluding that the airport's forecast revenue is excessive. The report highlights that the airport is targeting an excess profit of approximately $190 million, which translates to a targeted return of 8.73% from aeronautical activities, significantly above the Commission's estimated reasonable return of 7.3% to 7.8%.

Commissioner Vhari McWha emphasized that while the Commission does not regulate airport prices, the review is crucial for assessing whether the airport's pricing decisions benefit consumers in the long term. The Commission noted that the high charges imposed by the airport would likely burden businesses and consumers alike.

Auckland Airport plans to use the increased revenue to fund investments aimed at enhancing customer experience and infrastructure resilience, including a new domestic terminal to replace the nearly 60-year-old existing facility. However, the Commission argues that the proposed price increases exceed what is necessary to achieve these improvements.

The Commission acknowledged that Auckland Airport followed appropriate processes in costing its investment plan, engaging multiple third-party experts and considering various options for the new terminal. Nonetheless, it suggested that a different approach to recovering depreciation of the new terminal infrastructure would better serve consumer interests, potentially lowering charges in the short term.

The Commission's final conclusions align closely with its draft findings published in July of the previous year. The report also underscores the importance of transparency in the pricing and performance of Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington international airports, which are subject to information disclosure regulations under the Commerce Act.