News: QAN UPDATE 1-Auckland Airports resets airline charges for fiscal 2023 to 2027

(Adds details on airline charges in paragraphs 2 & 3, Auckland International Airport CEO comment in paragraph 4, Qantas' and Air New Zealand's views in paragraph 5, Qantas CEO comment in paragraph 6)

June 8 (Reuters) - Auckland International Airport (AIA) on Thursday reworked its aeronautical charges for fiscal 2023 to 2027, which Qantas Airways (QAN) and Air New Zealand (AIR) , two of the largest carriers in the region, opposed.

The revised charges by New Zealand's largest airport for the 'Price Setting Event Four' will be effective from July 1, the airport operator said in a statement, bringing an end to its year-long freeze on the charges.

Under the new charges, which were calculated on a per passenger basis, domestic jet charges and international charges will be around NZ$11.85 and NZ$37.35 ($7.16 and $22.55), respectively, reaching NZ$15.45 and NZ$46.10, respectively, by fiscal year 2027.

"Travel is back, and the recovery is taking place more quickly than anyone expected. Now is the time for investment in Auckland Airport if we are to deliver the resilience and customer experience travellers want," said Carrie Hurihanganui, CEO of Auckland International Airport.

But Qantas Airways and Air New Zealand argued that although these price changes would help fund the airport's redevelopment plans, the costs of these plans might lead to further increase in airline charges, impacting the carriers.

"Airlines accept that investment is needed, but what AIAL is proposing goes far beyond what is needed or affordable," said Qantas CEO Alan Joyce.

The move comes amid the airport's ongoing saga over its ownership structure with mayor of the country's largest city pushing for selling its stake.

($1 = 1.6562 New Zealand dollars)