$25 departure fee - Frequently Asked Questions:

How is the departure fee changing?
From 1 July 2010, travellers will no longer be required to pay an international departure fee at Christchurch Airport. Up to this date, travellers will pay the usual $25 international departure fee at Christchurch Airport before boarding their departing flight. From 1 July 2010, this fee will be included as part of the airfare costs, which means the departure fee no longer needs to be paid separately at the airport.
How much is the new Passenger Service Charge?
The new PSC is $12.50 including GST. This levy is payable for both departing and arriving travellers, and will be included as part of the airfare costs from 1 July 2010. On a return airfare, the total PSC would be $25. On a one-way airfare, the PSC would be $12.50. The policy of having no charge for children aged under 12 years will continue.
Why is Christchurch Airport doing this?
Having a PSC will bring Christchurch Airport into line with Auckland Airport and other international airports around the world, and will greatly improve the departure process for departing travellers. Feedback from travellers shows that the current departure fee collection process is a major inconvenience for them.
When do the changes take place?
For travels from 1 July 2010, a Passenger Service Charge (PSC) will be included in the costs of an airfare and collected by the airlines. From that date onwards, travellers will not have to pay a separate international departure fee at Christchurch Airport.
What does this mean for travellers?
It will significantly improve the traveller experience. It will improve the ease and simplicity of the departure process, and reduce traveller processing time through Customs. Airline travellers will have a much more streamlined departure process and therefore an improved travel experience.
What happens to those travelling either side of 1 July 2010?
There is no change for travellers leaving Christchurch before July 2010, and returning before 1 July 2010. They will pay the standard $25 PDC. However if a traveller leaves Christchurch before 1 July 2010, and returns to Christchurch after 1 July 2010, there is the potential for them to pay both the $25 departure charge, and the $12.50 PSC for their return flight as part of the airfare costs. To ensure this does not occur, all international travellers who leave Christchurch before 1 July 2010 will be asked for their return date when they pay their departure charge at the bank. Relevant travel documentation such as an itinerary will be required. If the return date is after 1 July 2010, they will only pay $12.50 departure charge, as the PSC for the return leg of their trip will be included in their return airfare costs.
However, Air New Zealand passengers who leave Christchurch before 1 July 2010, and return after 1 July 2010 will continue to pay the $25 PDC, as the PSC is not usually included in their airfare costs for the return leg of the trip. If you are an Air NZ passenger and you think you have been charged $12.50 on the return leg of the trip, you can request a refund from CIAL.