New Zealand passengers are seeing positive early results from new Government initiatives to cut airport wait times and improve flight disruption transparency, according to Transport Minister Simeon Brown.
“We’re prioritizing more efficient air travel to ensure passengers have smoother, more reliable journeys,” says Minister Brown, as the peak summer travel season approaches.
Key Improvements at NZ Airports
Key improvements include installing advanced CT scanners that let passengers keep laptops and liquids in their bags during security screening. The Government is also implementing queue monitoring technology and introducing regular airline performance reporting, including the first trans-Tasman report.
The new CT scanners represent a significant advancement in security screening efficiency. While maintaining robust security measures, this technology speeds up the screening process nationwide. This reduces queue times and helping travelers reach their gates faster.
The New Zealand Government is also tackling long security lines with sophisticated passenger sensing technology at checkpoints. This system actively monitors queue lengths and signals when intervention is needed.
At Wellington’s Southern Domestic screening point, where this technology is in use, the percentage of passengers processed within 5 minutes has improved from an 89% twelve-month average to 95% in December.
By mid-2025, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will have access to passenger sensing data across all security-screened airports, enabling better queue management through comprehensive analysis.
Introduction of Airline Performance Reporting
The introduction of airline performance reporting offers unprecedented transparency for domestic and trans-Tasman travelers.
While safety remains the top priority, this reporting system, which is standard practice internationally, highlights areas needing improvement in both domestic and trans-Tasman services.
October data shows encouraging trends in domestic flight punctuality, with 82% of flights departing on time – up from 77% in July.
The Wellington to Queenstown route led performance with 92% on-time arrivals. However, trans-Tasman performance needs improvement, with only 66% of flights departing on time and 72% arriving on schedule in October.
Following recent consultations, the New Zealand Government has approved modest increases to CAA fees. Instead of the requested 43% increase for general aviation fees, a 10% increase will be implemented, with passenger levy increases lower than initially proposed. The Government expects the CAA to find operational efficiencies to manage costs.
“We’re launching a comprehensive review of the CAA to ensure passenger and aviation sector fees are appropriately allocated to essential functions,” Brown explains. “We need confidence that the CAA provides value for money while maintaining efficiency and responsiveness.”
“Our goal is helping Kiwis travel efficiently and safely,” Brown adds. “This means shorter airport waits, better consumer information, and reasonable fees. We’re committed to enhancing air travel performance and customer experience for summer travelers.”
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