National air traffic control company Airways New Zealand is introducing a service fee for all general aviation that radios in when flying through controlled air space.
The new call fee will start at $1 from July 1 and will grow to $2 after a year and up to $3.55 in 2015. Pilots will be forced to pay the fee each time they land or pass through controlled air space.
The move is part of the state-owned enterprise's wider plan to raise costs for its air navigation services by more than 15 per cent, or $70 million, during the next three years.
An airline lobby group that represents large commercial fliers says members, including Air New Zealand, will have no choice but to pass the increased costs on to passengers.
Airways New Zealand to charge pilots for nation radio services
