Air New Zealand's turbulent relationship with Auckland Airport is taking another turn. 

The national carrier is demanding an inquiry into the airport's spending, claiming it will push up airfares to five times the current rate by 2032. 

Cath O’Brien, Executive Director on the Board of Airline Representatives, told Mike Hosking that the airport has a history of extremes, going from spending too little on their projects to a significantly higher amount, which its regulatory regime is not designed to handle. 

She said the regime is only a five-year look, and so it can’t handle the ten-to-fifteen-year expense of the current plan. 

While Auckland Airport denies any significant price changes, O’Brien said that due to the limitations on the current regime, prices will rise a lot more than they’re currently able to say. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

• Commerce Minister weighs in on fight between Auckland Airport and Air NZ