Air

Aviation is an innovative industry that contributes heavily to economic and social progress. It connects New Zealand and New Zealanders to the world, provides access to global markets, and generates trade and tourism.

Each year around 2.5 million visitors arrive in New Zealand, contributing nearly nine billion dollars to the New Zealand economy. The vast majority of those passengers arrive by air.

Aviation is also essential to the export of time sensitive goods which include fresh horticulture and seafood products. Effective air services allow firms to shorten delivery times, minimise inventory costs and limit interruptions to production.

International aviation is governed by the Convention on International Civil Aviation. As a party to the Convention, New Zealand has very clear obligations including having a comprehensive safety and security regime based on the standards and recommended practices prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Non-compliance with these obligations risks exclusion or restriction on operating in the international aviation system and the consequential economic impact on trade, travel and tourism.

Inadequate safety regulation risks inconsistent standards and consequential damage to the reputation of the industry, tourism and the country itself. Equally, operators need to have a level of assurance that the reputation and viability of their businesses are not going to be adversely affected by the actions of operators that do not establish and maintain accepted levels of safety.

Find out more information on international air regulation here.