Queenstown Airport is removing a $25 international departure fee paid by passengers effective immediately.

Chief executive Scott Paterson said the change was part of Queenstown Airport's new landing charges coming into effect on July 1.

''Paying a fee on departing Queenstown has long been a frustrating imposition on international passengers. Removing the fee will greatly improve the experience international passengers have when leaving the airport,'' Paterson said.

Airports around the country including Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch have been or are in the middle of setting new landing charges. Christchurch International Airport is in the midst of negotiating charges, to last for five years, with the Board of Airline Representatives.

Paterson said Queenstown Airport had worked with its airline customers over the last six months to remove the international departure fee and finalise the new landing charges.

''Essentially we set out to rebalance and simplify airport charges across passenger types and we've been able to remove several charges and fees, which have previously been separately levied.''

International passengers were the big winners, Paterson said. In addition to the removal of the $25 international departure fee, airline charges reduce by $1.61 for each international passenger.

On the other hand domestic passengers will pay slightly more with charges increasing by 9 cents for jet passengers and $1.99 for turboprop passengers.

Airport landing charges are reset infrequently and Queenstown Airport's last reset took place in 2004.

Paterson said setting the new landing charges had been a complex demanding process.

''The system will remain in place for nine years with charges being reset at years three and six to address any differences between forecast and actual passenger volumes and financing costs,'' he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News