Assessment of whether to self-initiate competition study into the domestic air travel sector

In May 2025, the Commerce Commission assessed competition issues in New Zealand’s domestic air travel sector to decide whether to self‑initiate a market study. It chose not to proceed, finding that high fares and limited competition were mainly the result of structural factors such as high airport costs and low demand rather than anti‑competitive conduct.

This document summarises the Commission’s assessment of whether to begin a competition study into the domestic air travel sector.

Source: New Zealand Commerce Commission, https://www.comcom.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/competition-studies/our-assessment-of-competition-in-the-domestic-airline-sector/