Air New Zealand Makes Changes to International Schedules

Air New Zealand is cancelling a number of flights in its Northern Winter schedule ( November 2001 - March 2002), mainly in response to a decrease in the demand for international travel following the recent terrorist attacks on the United States of America and subsequent escalation of military action in Afghanistan.

" Air New Zealand, along with many airlines around the world, has reviewed its existing schedules and made a business decision to trim back some services where reduced travel patterns and lower passenger numbers have been identified. We are not announcing any withdrawals from routes - simply operating a few less services on some of those routes," said Air New Zealand Executive Director Roger France.

"The cancellations we are announcing are an interim measure, pending the completion of a new business plan by our executive and its adoption by the Board," Mr France said. "We are maintaining a close watch on forward demand to ensure that our scheduled services offer an appropriate amount of capacity."

In general, the majority of cancellations being announced are for the month of November (which is a traditionally quieter travel period). The cancellations amount to a 6% reduction in Air New Zealand's scheduled international operating capacity during the month.

The international service reductions in November include:

Sydney - Los Angeles: 12 from total of 30

Auckland - Los Angeles: two from total of 46

Auckland - Rarotonga: two from total of 25

Auckland - Hong Kong: two from total of 30

Auckland - Nagoya: one from total of 13

Auckland - Apia: four from total of 13

Auckland - Sydney: 19 from total of 116

Auckland - Melbourne: 38 from total of 116

Auckland - Brisbane: 19 from total of 68.

In addition, the seat capacity on return services between Christchurch - Sydney, Christchurch - Melbourne and Christchurch - Brisbane has been reduced with a Boeing 737 aircraft replacing a Boeing 767 aircraft on some flights.

Passengers affected by cancelled services will be automatically rebooked by Air New Zealand on the next best available flight - either later the same day or the next day.

To minimise the impact on customers and the airports, Air New Zealand will be scanning all affected bookings made directly through Air New Zealand Travelcentres ( and has advised all travel agencies to do the same) to ensure that customers are contacted in advance and that appropriate actions to best meet their needs have been taken.