Updates

Update on Friday 4 October

To be attributed to Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer, Leanne Geraghty

"We're thrilled to be acknowledged in this year's Conde Nast Readers' Choice Awards. It's always an honour to be recognised, but particulary so when it's a vote from the readers. The achievement belongs to our incredible team, who go above and beyond every day to deliver an exceptional flying experience.

"Over the past year we've been spent a lot of focus on elevating our food offering onboard, so it's particularly exciting to see Conde Nast readers place us in the top spot in this category.  We work hard to bring fresh and interesting food to our customers onboard. Our 'Taste of Aotearoa' menu is an opportunity to spotlight the unique flavours of Aotearoa, championing the regions, and it's a privilege to showcase the best our country has to offer and share that with the world. We're also proud to serve wine exclusively from New Zealand throughout the aircraft, and an incredible selection of New Zealand produced spirits and craft beer."

Update at 9.00am NZT Monday 3 September 2024

The following can be attributed to Air New Zealand General Manager, International, Jeremy O'Brien.

Due to the ongoing uncertainty and pockets of unrest in New Caledonia, Air New Zealand has extended the pause on its Auckland – Nouméa service. This service will now be paused until 29 March 2025. 

We understand this will be disappointing for customers who have travel plans to and from Nouméa, but safety remains our number one priority.

Customers booked directly with Air New Zealand to travel to Nouméa will have their flights automatically held in credit. Due to limited options and continued uncertainty in the region, customers will not be rebooked on flights to Nouméa via alternative services. Customers can also opt to receive a full refund on their booking. Those who booked through a travel agent should contact them directly to discuss the options available to them.   

We'd like to thank customers for their patience and understanding.

Media Advisory
27 August 2024

Air New Zealand is moving aircraft that are out of service due to ongoing engine supply challenges to storage in Alice Springs, Australia.

The dry and low humidity conditions are very suitable for aircraft storage, and the move frees up space at our Auckland hangars for its scheduled engineering and maintenance programme.

A combination of A321 and 787 aircraft will be relocated, which are currently unable to be used by the airline due to global engine supply challenges with Rolls Royce and Pratt & Whitney. The airline will have up to four of the aircraft on the ground in Alice Springs at any one time with aircraft swapping in and out as engines become available.

The first A321 will be flown to Alice Springs today.  There is no customer impact.

After careful consideration, Air New Zealand is removing its 2030 science based carbon intensity reduction target and will withdraw from the Science Based Targets initiative.   

Many of the levers needed to meet the target, including the availability of new aircraft, the affordability and availability of alternative jet fuels, and global and domestic regulatory and policy support, are outside the airline's direct control and remain challenging. 

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Greg Foran says, "In recent months, and more so in the last few weeks, it has also become apparent that potential delays to our fleet renewal plan pose an additional risk to the target's achievability. It is possible the airline may need to retain its existing fleet for longer than planned due to global manufacturing and supply chain issues that could potentially slow the introduction of newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft into the fleet. As such and given so many levers needed to meet the target are outside our control, the decision has been made to retract the 2030 target and withdraw from the SBTi network immediately.

Work has begun to consider a new near-term carbon emissions reduction target that could better reflect the challenges relating to aircraft and alternative jet fuel availability within the industry.

Air New Zealand Chair, Dame Therese Walsh says, "Air New Zealand remains committed to reaching its 2050 net zero carbon emissions target. Our work to transition away from fossil fuels continues, as does our advocacy for the global and domestic regulatory and policy settings that will help facilitate Air New Zealand, and the wider aviation system in New Zealand, to do its part to mitigate climate change risks."