I'm not surprised by Christchurch Airport's snottiness to customers who want to sleep until their flight. Instead of seeng demand as opportunity, and customers as guests, they display the snobby disdain to be expected of a "socially owned&qu
I've managed a backpackers. I know what travellers want. I know how to make money providing the cheapest (safe) accomodation travellers can find. I filled my backpackers in St Anton am Arlberg by greeting them at the Bahnhof (railway station).
I've slept at airports. I will probably do so again. Partly because it sticks in the craw to pay $150+ for a few hours in a hotel room (after the taxi, check in, check out and taxi back) when all I want is somewhere safe to stretch out. There are other reasons of course – you may want to stay ready for the first standby seat, or not remove your luggage from custody, or you feel safer in the airport than heading into a city you do not know.
But I'm not surprised by Christchurch Airport's snottiness to customers who want to sleep until their flight (or their tour pick-up). Instead of seeng demand as opportunity, and customers as guests, they display the snobby disdain to be expected of a "socially owned" local monopoly.
The grudging reversal of policy shows the imagination one can expect from this town of state dependents. A nearby backpackers with a captive market is a feeble answer. Why not provide Japanese style boxes for safe sleeping? What about showing the Interislander's initiative on late night sailings in renting thin self inflating mattresses, and pointing to safe corners? Why not provide a service for a change, to make some money?
Instead of complaining that some people stay up to 11 nights, what's wrong with a one or two night limit to exclude indigents? What about applying a smell test – say plainly that if people smell they will be discreetly invited to pay for a shower and if they don't pay, they can go?
Wellington Airport is not socially owned. I've enjoyed its willingness to tweak the noses of the dreary people who usually wield collective power to suck the vibrancy out of any business they control. But its culture may not be different enough in the long run. Perhaps airports are corrupted by living off rents, and tolls from those obliged to pass through them. They get accustomed to fat returns from charges to taxis and other users for the privilege of actually providing services.
Wellington Airport is stacking up local hostility by not progressing an extension to the runway for a city anxious about its future.
When airports are subjected to Commerce Commission price control they will all have themselves to blame.
Former ACT MP turned National Party candidate Stephen Franks is principal of commercial and public law firm Franks and Ogilvie.
