Support for rethink on duty-free sales

Press, 5 October 1984, Page 4

Support for rethink on duty-free sales

Duty-free goods may soon be available to air travellers arriving in New Zealand rather than those leaving. The Christchurch City Council has added its support to sales on arrival at Christchuch Airport. Air New Zealand has already asked the Ministry of Transport to determine the Government and airport authorities’ attitudes to sales on arrival rather than departure. The move has been prompted by moves within Australia to change to dutyfree sales on arrival.

The council’s airport and electricity committee was told yesterday that legisla-

tion to bring about the change would be introduced next year and that at first it would be restricted to tobacco, liquor, and perfumes.

Duty-free sales on arrival rather than departure would mean that there would be 800 kg to 1200 kg less of dutyfree alcohol on Tasman 747 flights, said Cr Morgan Fahey. This would mean a significant fuel-saving, he said.

Changing to sales . on arrival would mean reduced sales at New Zealand international airports to passengers returning to Australia. This could mean a loss of annual revenue to the coun-

cil of up to $250,000, but would be offset by New Zealand’s following Australia’s lead and switching to sales on arrival. Cr Maurice Carter expressed reservations about the alterations that might be needed to the international arrival area at Christchurch.

“These goods have to be available and be able to be processed quickly or people will not be interested,” he said. "It also takes quite a large area to accommodate.”

Councillors supported a change to sales on arrival for the same commodities to be on sale on arrival in Australia.