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Air New Zealand CFO Blames Costs, Not Price Gouging

4/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Air New Zealand's CFO Richard Thomson insists that soaring airfares are a result of a staggering 30% rise in costs since the pandemic, rejecting claims of price gouging. However, critics point to a lack of competition as the real culprit, leaving many regional travelers struggling with unaffordable fares and pushing them to search for cheaper alternatives in bigger cities. The demand for a ministerial inquiry into pricing continues to grow.

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Story summary

Air New Zealand's CFO Richard Thomson insists that soaring airfares are a result of a staggering 30% rise in costs since the pandemic, rejecting claims of price gouging. However, critics point to a lack of competition as the real culprit, leaving many regional travelers struggling with unaffordable fares and pushing them to search for cheaper alternatives in bigger cities. The demand for a ministerial inquiry into pricing continues to grow.