Updates
This page features the latest updates, statements, and key information from Air New Zealand. If you have a comment request on a specific topic, please submit a media enquiry here.
Issued by Air New Zealand Communications.
Email: media@airnz.co.nz │ Twitter: @AirNZMedia
Flight NZ677 Security Incident
To be attributed to Air New Zealand Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer, David Morgan
"Flight NZ677 was due to depart from Auckland to Dunedin yesterday evening, however, the aircraft returned to the gate due to security reasons. Passengers remained onboard for a period of time while standard procedures were followed before disembarking safely.
Passengers were then asked to remain in a secure area while Police managed the incident. We appreciate situations like this can be distressing and uncomfortable for passengers, but the safety of everyone onboard is our top priority. Our team worked hard to support passengers by providing snacks, hot food, fruit and water, booking accommodation for the night, and rebooking flights.
Our team is following up with passengers today to check in with them. Any further inquiries should be directed to the Police."
Latest Update on New Caledonia
Update on 13 December 2024
Attribute to Air New Zealand General Manager International Jeremy O'Brien:
"Due to the ongoing challenges with aircraft and engine availability, coupled with ongoing uncertainty in New Caledonia, Air New Zealand has extended the pause on its Auckland – Nouméa service. This service will now be paused until late October 2025. We understand this will be disappointing for customers who have travel plans to and from Nouméa.
"Customers booked directly with Air New Zealand to travel to Nouméa will have their flights automatically held in credit. Customers will not be rebooked on flights to Nouméa and can 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."
Upcoming adjustments to Air New Zealand domestic network
Update on Tuesday 2 December
The airline is today announcing some minor changes to its domestic and regional schedule as part of its regular network review process. The changes will be applied between February and June 2025.
Air New Zealand constantly reviews its network to ensure it is responding to market dynamics. Domestic flying continues to be impacted by softer demand, particularly across corporate and government customers, and at the same time, operating costs continue to rise. This environment has led to today's announcement to make some small changes in the areas most impacted by less flying.
Air New Zealand General Manager Domestic, Scott Carr notes that the airline has been responding to the domestic economy for a number of months now and today's changes are a continuation of the airline's ability to adapt to the changing market while still meeting the needs of the communities the airline serves.
"Like other airlines in Aotearoa, our domestic business continues to be impacted by challenging conditions, including high operating costs and soft domestic demand, particularly across corporate and government customers. As a result, we've made some changes to our services in the areas where we are seeing the most impact from less flying. We understand these changes will affect some of our customers' upcoming travel plans and as always, we'll work with everyone impacted to rebook their travel.
"These reductions not only allow us to more appropriately respond to the level of demand we are experiencing, but they also give the airline a small amount of resilience to improve recovery options in the event of a flight disruption on our regional network. We will continue to monitor domestic demand and will review the schedule from July onwards closer to the time."
The changes to the schedule will be made on Monday 9 December 2024 and will result in 2% fewer seats on the domestic network over a short four-month period.
Customers with flights on these routes between February and June 2025 will be contacted directly with alternative options if their flight has been impacted. Customers do not need to contact Air New Zealand proactively.
Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Award Wins
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."
Out of service aircraft move to Alice Springs
Update on 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.