The Commission's Commerce Act Manger, Geoff Thorn, said that copies of all the submissions will be available from the Commission's website, http://www.comcom.govt.nz/price, within a few days.

Submissions were made by Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Gisborne Airports, and by the Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand.

Mr Thorn said that on June 8 the Commission expects to publish a draft report recommending that price controls should, or should not, be introduced and how they would be administered.

Interested parties will have the opportunity to make submissions on the draft report and provide further information at a conference before the Commission makes its final recommendations to the Minister on November 2.

Timetable:

June 8

Commission publishes draft report.

By July 20

Interested parties make submissions on draft report and independent experts of interested parties provide reports.

By August 17

Interested parties and independent experts make cross submissions.

September 4-7, 10 and 12-14

Conference where interested parties can provide further information and the Commission will ask questions. The media and public can attend.

November 2

Commission aims to report to Minister of Commerce.

Copies of the critical issues paper and all other documents relating to the study are available from the Commission's website, http://www.comcom.govt.nz/price. They can also be requested by sending an e-mail to airports@comcom.govt.nz. The submissions will be made available as soon as possible.

Media contact: Commerce Act Manager Geoff Thorn

Phone work (04) 498 0958, cellphone 021 661 104

Senior Advisor Communications Vincent Cholewa

Phone work (04) 498 0920