Coronavirus: Air New Zealand has dropped international flights by 95 per cent

Wednesday, 25 March 2020

Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran says airline could shrink by 30 per cent to weather Covid-19 pandemic.

Air New Zealand has reduced its international flights by 95 per cent due to the impact coronavirus is having on travel demand and Government restrictions.

From March 30 to May 31, the national carrier will operate only a limited networ

The airline has slashed its international network to just 11 key routes to enable travel for essential workers, returning citizens and to keep air freight moving through important cargo corridors to North America and Asia.

Domestic services into Auckland will be scheduled to allow travellers to connect to Tasman and Pacific routes, Air New Zealand said.

From March 30 to May 31, the national carrier will operate a limited network to enable essential travel and keep air freight moving through key cargo corridors to North America and Asia.

* Coronavirus: Air New Zealand suspends 13 Australian routes, cuts trans-Tasman capacity by 80 per cent

* Technical issues delay Air New Zealand Christchurch to Hamilton flight**

The airline was also re-timing its Hong Kong service to a night operation to maximise connection opportunities for cargo.

Overall, international capacity was down 95 per cent from pre-Covid-19 levels, the airline said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was almost impossible to bring Kiwis overseas home as flights were drying up world wide.

'Ultimately we are now in a position that unless there are commercial flights operating it is almost impossible to bring people home,' she said.

While services were subject to change as governments continued to introduce or change travel and border restrictions, Air New Zealand's international schedule from March 30 and May 31 was:

Tasman services (per week)

Auckland-Sydney - Three return services

Auckland-Brisbane - Two return services

Auckland-Melbourne - Two return services

Pacific services (one return service per week)

Auckland-Rarotonga

Auckland-Fiji

Auckland-Niue

Sydney-Norfolk

Brisbane-Norfolk

Samoa and Tonga are currently not permitting international flights. If these restrictions end, Air New Zealand is likely to operate one return service per week from Auckland.

Long-haul services (per week)

Auckland-Los Angeles - Three return services

Auckland-Hong Kong - Two return services

Auckland-Shanghai - Return services on alternate days from May 2