Auckland Airport wins high court battle against airlines

Auckland Airport announced on October 30, 2025, that the High Court ruled against the application by airlines for a judicial review of the Commerce Commission's Airport Services Input Methodologies (IM Review 2023) Amendment Determination. The determination was challenged by Air New Zealand, Qantas, and the Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand. The High Court determined that no relief would be granted to the applicants.

This decision affirms that technical errors related to the airport services' cost of capital should be addressed within a separate merits review appeal. This appeal, concerning the same determination, was initiated in February 2024 by regulated airports and the New Zealand Airports Association. Auckland Airport is currently awaiting the High Court's decision on this specific appeal, with the judicial review decision expected to be formally released later today.