Air New Zealand plans to cancel about 1,100 flights up to the end of next month, impacting roughly 44,000 passengers.
The airline earlier said it is adjusting its fares and may further tweak pricing and schedules due to “extreme volatility” in the jet fuel market, sparked by the Iran conflict.
Air NZ chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar stated that the changes represent about a 5% cut in the number of flights the airline will operate.
Most affected passengers will be shifted to alternative flights. The cancellations primarily hit off-peak domestic routes. It has no plans to cut routes.
“Route or frequency consolidation is something that we do as a business as usual practice, and this is just a version of that. In this case, of course, it’s very specifically related to optimising fuel costs,” Ravishankar explained.
Meanwhile, Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford said Air New Zealand informed him of reduced flights to and from Tauranga.
“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),” Rutherford said.
“Wellington services down by 21 rotations (about three per week on average). Christchurch services were reduced by three rotations.”
“Importantly, I’ve sought and been provided assurances from Air New Zealand that this is a temporary measure in direct response to the current oil price volatility and will not be used as a stalking horse for longer-term regional route reductions.”