Updates

Update on Thursday 12 March

Please attribute to an Air New Zealand spokesperson:

Like other airlines, Air New Zealand regularly makes changes to our schedule depending on things like seasonality and demand.  With the unprecedented volatility in jet fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East, airlines around the world are adjusting fares and their schedules to help manage the impact of these significantly increased costs. 

To help keep flying as affordable as possible and be as efficient with fuel as we can be, we have consolidated a small number of flights between 16 March and 3 May. The flights represent 5% of our total domestic and international schedule and are mainly in lower-demand or off-peak times. There are just under 44,000 passengers impacted out of the 1.9 million passengers we will fly over this period. Affected customers will be contacted today and will experience minimal disruption, with majority travelling on the same day as their original booking.

We know how important air travel is to New Zealand. In making these schedule changes we have tried to strike a balance between maintaining connectivity to all regions and our ability to reaccommodate passengers close to their original booking. All customers impacted will be reaccommodated, and will be eligible for a refund or credit if they are unable to fly.

Update at 9:00am on Thursday 5 March

Please attribute to Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Digital Officer Jeremy O'Brien

Due to widespread airspace closures and airport shutdowns across parts of the Middle East, some partner airlines operating to or through affected airports, including Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Doha (DOH), are experiencing significant operational disruptions. 

Air New Zealand's own services are not directly impacted. We are closely monitoring the situation. However, we recognise that some customers may wish to reconsider their travel plans or seek alternative routing options. 

We have extended flexibility for customers booked on Air New Zealand-issued tickets through to the Middle East for travel up to and including 20 March 2026, including separate domestic connections within New Zealand.

They can make one date change or reroute to avoid transiting the Middle East before 20 March 2026, with no penalty, service fee or fare difference. Customers who no longer wish to travel can instead hold the full value of their ticket as credit.

We will continue to monitor the situation and keep customers updated. Travel advice can be found on the NZ government Safe Travel website.

Update at 7:30am on Monday 16 February

Please attribute to Air New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Alex Marren

"Strong wind conditions are continuing in Wellington this morning, with forecasts of more than 60 knots. We're also experiencing high wind conditions in Napier and Palmerston North. As a result, we have currently paused all operations in and out of Wellington, Napier, and Palmerston North. Safety is foremost and we are  closely monitor conditions, with winds forecast to reduce later this morning when we expect to resume services. 

"Yesterday's weather resulted in 45 flight cancellations in and out of Wellington. We know flight disruptions are frustrating, and our teams are working around the clock to rebook affected passengers and get them to their destination safely and as quickly as possible. We have added flexibility for customers with bookings in and out of Wellington today, meaning they can proactively change their flights free of charge. Due to the volume of disruption, the rebooking process may take longer than usual. We recommend customers delay their travel in and out of affected ports today if it is non urgent. We appreciate customers' patience and understanding while we work through this.

"We encourage customers travelling across the domestic network to keep an eye on the Air NZ app and website for the latest information on their flights."

Update at 5:15pm on Sunday 15 February

Please attribute to Air New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Alex Marren

"Due to prevailing high winds, this afternoon we made the decision to cancel all regional flights in and out of Wellington for the remainder of the day. Safety is paramount, and these conditions are outside our operating limits for our regional aircraft.

"At this stage, jet services are continuing to operate in and out of the city. However, we are monitoring conditions closely and there may be impacts to jet services later this evening.

"Our teams are working to rebook impacted customers on the next available service as quickly as possible. We encourage customers travelling to or from Wellington and across the network to keep an eye on the Air NZ app or website for the most up to date information about their flight."

Update at 11am on Sunday 15 February

Please attribute to Air New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Alex Marren

"We're expecting strong winds in excess of 50 knots at Wellington later today and also into the South Island, which are likely to cause disruption and flight cancellations. In addition, due to required Wellington airport upgrades, there is a further impact during low visibility weather conditions. 

"Our teams are working hard to proactively manage cancellations and customer rebooking to get affected customers onto the next available service and to their destination. We know flight disruptions can be frustrating however safety is our highest priority. We have added flexibility for rebooking and also encourage customers travelling today to keep an eye on the Air NZ app or website for the most up to date information about their flight. We'd like to thank customers in advance for their patience and understanding."

Update on 11 February

Strike action by Air New Zealand international widebody cabin crew 

Air New Zealand is close to completing customer reaccommodation ahead of industrial action planned by its widebody cabin crew on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 February.

The airline has cancelled 46 widebody services across its long haul network, affecting around 9,500 customers.

By retiming flights and using the wider fleet, Air New Zealand has been able to protect the majority of its Tasman and Pacific services from cancellations.

The domestic and regional network will operate as normal.

 The airline will also fly some cargo-only services to keep Kiwi exporters connected.

 Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Digital Officer Jeremy O'Brien says the airline's priority is supporting customers through the disruption.

 "We have done everything possible to minimise the impact, and our teams have been working around the clock to reaccommodate customers whose flights are affected.

 "We are very sorry for the disruption to some customers' travel plans. Customers have been contacted directly with rebooking options and may also choose a refund or to hold the value of their ticket as credit for travel at a later date."

 Additional support may be provided where required, including meals, refreshments, accommodation and transport.

Customers who booked through a travel agent will be contacted directly by their agent to discuss rebooking options.

 "We thank our customers for their patience and understanding and remain committed to getting them to their destination as soon as possible."

Update on 3 February 2026

Strike action by Air New Zealand international widebody cabin crew 

Air New Zealand has been in discussions with the unions representing its widebody cabin crew on a pathway forward and the parties have now agreed to undertake facilitated bargaining. The unions have also limited strike action to two days on 12 and 13 February. 

The airline's focus is on minimising disruption to our customers and ensuring New Zealand remains connected to the world, recognising how critically important this is for passengers, exporters and the wider economy.  

Contingency planning is well underway. While there will be some cancellations on the long-haul network, affected customers will be reaccommodated where possible. Air New Zealand will also operate a number of cargo-only widebody services to help keep Kiwi exporters connected where we can. 

Through schedule adjustments and increased flying on its narrowbody fleet, Air New Zealand is working to prevent cancellations across its Tasman and Pacific Island network. 

There is no impact to Air New Zealand's domestic and regional services.  

Air New Zealand will begin contacting affected customers directly from tomorrow. Support will include rebooking options and may include meals, refreshments, accommodation and transport where required. Customers may also choose a refund or to hold the value of their fare as credit for future travel. 

Customers booked to travel on Air New Zealand's international widebody services are encouraged to ensure their contact details are up to date. 

Air New Zealand Chief People Officer Nikki Dines says the airline is committed to getting customers to their destinations as soon as possible.  

"We know how important it is to our customers to get where they need to be. We have done all we can to keep customers moving but unfortunately some travel plans will still be disrupted."

Ms Dines says the airline is working to achieve an agreed outcome to the bargains as quickly as possible.  

"Air New Zealand's offer to our widebody cabin crew includes increases to base salaries of between 4.14% and 6.41% in the first year and improvements to conditions while supporting the long-term sustainability of the airline.  

"While our immediate focus is on looking after our customers, we have agreed with the unions to participate in facilitated bargaining as soon as possible to move negotiations forward towards a resolution. We thank our customers for their patience while we work through this as quickly as possible." 

Update 1 December 2025

Project 32 review outcome

Following questions about one of our onboard snack suppliers, Project 32, Air New Zealand undertook a review of the company and its packaging claims.

The review confirmed that the "New Zealand Owned" statement on Project 32's packaging was incorrect. While the product is supplied to Air New Zealand by a New Zealand–registered company, the business was not New Zealand–owned at the time the packaging was produced.

Project 32 has worked openly and co-operatively with us to resolve the issue, transferring ownership to a New Zealander and committing to update its packaging artwork for future stock. It has also committed to ongoing transparency around its charitable giving, including moving from annual to quarterly donation cycles.

Air New Zealand will use existing stock on hand to avoid unnecessary food and packaging waste. This also preserves the product's gluten-free certification and ensures that charitable donations already committed this year can reach the communities they were intended to support. New packaging is expected by the end of summer.

We've also taken the opportunity to review and strengthen our own processes for verifying supplier packaging and product claims, to help prevent similar issues in future.