Air New Zealand will be cutting around 1100 flights from its domestic schedule as it responds to rising fuel prices caused by the war on Iran.
Chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar said it would be a roughly 5% reduction in services through until the start of May – around 1100 flights affecting 44,000 passengers.
Most of the passengers would be moved onto other flights. The cancellations were likely to be off-peak services and be mostly domestic.
‘Unprecedented’: Air NZ CEO addresses fuel crisis as 1100 flights cancelled - Watch on TVNZ+
"We're focused on consolidating flights that are off-peak flying hours, for example, or where there is an alternative that we can re-accommodate customers," he told 1News.
Air New Zealand was not looking at cutting routes.
The airline did not provide a list of affected flights, but some public officials have come forward with further details after speaking with the national carrier.
MP for Bay of Plenty Tom Rutherford
"From 16 March to 3 May 2026, there will be reductions in flights to/from Tauranga. Auckland services will be reduced by 31 rotations (averaging just one daily rotation most weeks, but maintaining full capacity during April school holidays). Wellington services down by 21 rotations (about three per week on average). Christchurch services reduced by three rotations."
A rotation is a return flight.
Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor:
"Air New Zealand says it intends to reduce routes to Wellington three times per week, for a total of 28 rotations (inbound and outbound flights), as well as nine rotations in total between Marlborough and Auckland, during the period 16 March to 3 May.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith:
"As it faces cost pressures from the conflict in the Middle East driving up the price of jet fuel, Air NZ plans to cut an average of 2-3 return flights a week to Auckland, rising to as many as 10 after the April peak travel period. It also plans to chop flights to and from Wellington by an average of five a week and Christchurch services by an average of 2-3 a week."
East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick:
"From 16 March to 3 May 2026, there will be reductions in flights between Gissy and Auckland. Services will be reduced by 24 rotations (averaging just one daily rotation most weeks, but maintaining full capacity during April school holidays). The Wellington service is not affected."
MP for Rangitata James Meager:
From 16 March to 3 May 2026, there will be reductions in flight services around the country (the number of flights per day on a route for example). Timaru will NOT be affected by these changes, however flights in and out of Wellington and Christchurch will be.
Dunedin
According to the Otago Daily Times, flights to Christchurch were reduced by 15 rotations – an average of two or three a week. Flights to Auckland were down by an average of eight rotations (average of 1-2 a week), and Wellington nine rotations (average 1-2 a week).
The airline earlier this week said it had increased prices in response to the rising cost of jet fuel.
Domestic flights were going up by $10 one way, short haul by 20, and long haul $90.
Ravishankar said today the, "interventions we're putting in place are not only reasonable, but is what all airlines around the world are doing".
"We're living in unusual times, but we're going to work very thoughtfully, very collaboratively with everyone involved."
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