A Better Deal When You Fly

What Labour will change

You'll see the real price before you book

Airlines will have to show the full price, with every fee included, so you can easily compare airlines. They'll also have to tell you when they use your personal data, like your search history, to set the price you're offered.

You'll get your money back if something goes wrong

If a big airline cancels your flight or changes it significantly, you'll get an automatic refund. If your checked bag is badly delayed, or you pay for something you don't get, you'll be compensated or reimbursed. These rules are aimed at big airlines, not small regional carriers like Sounds Air or Air Chathams.

You'll know which airlines you can rely on

Major airlines will have to publish how often their flights are delayed or cancelled, and how reliable they are at handling your bags.

You'll be able to see if fares are fair

Major airlines will have to give the Commerce Commission information on their fares, costs and profits, and it will be reported regularly. That means you can see what's really driving the price of your ticket.

You'll have more airlines to choose from

Smaller airlines can struggle to get fair access to airport gates, check-in, baggage handling and ground services. Labour will make sure every airline gets fair access to airport infrastructure.

We'll also update the rules that let airlines link up their flights, so smaller airlines can reach more passengers, including people connecting from international flights.

You'll pay fairer prices at the airport

The cost of your trip isn't just the price of your ticket. We'll stop airports using their local monopoly to overcharge you for parking, food and other services.

Airport upgrades shouldn't push up your fare

Airports need to invest in terminals and runways, and those costs can end up in your ticket price. Labour will look at ways to help regulated airports borrow more cheaply, so there's less pressure on what you pay.

Why it matters

New Zealand's size and geography mean flying will always be important. For many journeys there simply isn't a practical alternative.

There are good reasons why flying in New Zealand can cost more, including fuel, maintenance and the cost of operating smaller aircraft on shorter routes. But that doesn't fully explain the big price rises we've seen in recent years.

The Commerce Commission has found that on many regional routes, Air New Zealand faces limited or no competition. When one airline has a route to itself, there's little pressure to keep fares down or improve service.

When the big players dominate the market, you end up paying more than you should. Labour will change that. We will give smaller Kiwi airlines a fair go, so the big airlines have to work harder for your business.

With more airlines competing for your business, you'll get more choice, better prices and better services.

Keeping your region connected

Reliable air services matter enormously to regional New Zealand. They help people get to appointments, see family and travel for work. They also help businesses reach customers, move goods and connect with the rest of the country.

But some smaller routes can struggle to remain viable, putting communities at risk of losing important connections. Some smaller routes will always be hard to run at a profit. We shouldn't wait until a route is about to disappear before acting.

Labour will bring together airlines, airports and local leaders to find lasting ways to keep essential routes running, learning from what already works in places like Australia and Europe.

A real fix, not a short-term one

National's answer is short-term support for smaller airlines and a voluntary charter for passengers, while leaving the underlying problems in place. Labour will fix the rules to make sure you get a better deal, and smaller airlines have a fair shot.

This is part of how Labour will bring costs down right across the economy. Whether it's supermarkets, banks, airlines, or getting your car fixed, we'll make sure smaller businesses can compete and get you a better deal.

And to make getting around cheaper, we'll also freeze fuel tax for three years, and cap public transport fares at $20 a week in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and $10 a week everywhere else.

Whether you drive, catch the bus or train, or fly, Labour will make sure you can get where you're going for less.