This page was published on 30 September 2026.
CAA is consulting on a proposal to reduce domestic and international passenger security levies by 5 percent.
Over the past 12 to 18 months CAA has improved aviation security operations, strengthened financial management and rebuilt appropriate security reserves. Updated passenger forecasts also give us greater confidence in future revenue. Together, these factors mean CAA is confident it can consider a levy reduction while maintaining security service expectations and performance targets.
Passenger security levies are paid by airlines and calculated according to passenger numbers. Under the proposal, the domestic passenger security levy would reduce from $10.91 to $10.36 per passenger and the international levy from $22.30 to $21.19 per passenger, excluding GST.
On current projected passenger volumes, CAA estimates the proposed reduction would reduce levy collections by a cumulative $70.9 million by FY32. Whether and how any reduction is reflected in airfares is a decision for individual airlines.
Note: This consultation concerns passenger security levies only. Other CAA safety and security fees, charges and levies are being considered separately through the First Principles Funding Review.
CAA is directly consulting with applicable organisations - Air New Zealand, Jetstar, BARNZ and the Airports Association. Consultation opens 30 September 2026 and closes at 12:00pm on 14 October 2026.
This webpage is provided for general public awareness. The targeted consultation process is set out in the consultation document:
Security levy reduction - consultation document [PDF 453 KB]
Make your submission by emailing levyconsultation@caa.govt.nz.
CAA will analyse the feedback and engage with the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) and the Associate Minister of Transport on the findings and options. Subject to Government approval, any levy change is expected to take effect in the first half of 2027.
