Chaos as Air New Zealand cancels ONE THOUSAND flights to and from Australia – grounding at least 20,000 Christmas travellers – and Jacinda’s border restrictions are to blame
- About 20,000 passengers are grounded as Air New Zealand cancels flights
- Airline said trans-Tasman flights to Australia to be scrapped until December 31
- Move was prompted after Arden government said travel restrictions won’t lift
Air New Zealand has cancelled 1,000 flights to and from Australia until December 31 due to ‘continued border uncertainty’ between the two countries.
At least 20,000 travellers have booked tickets on the flights, all of them expecting the countries would reopen to each other before Christmas.
Jacinda Ardern’s government has made recent statements that they would be unlikely to lift harsh travel restrictions before the new year.
New Zealand’s travel ban has been in place since July after Jacina Ardern slammed the borders shut to Australians
Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty said the airline was left with little choice but to cancel the flights – dashing long awaited holiday reunion plans for thousands.
‘This will be particularly tough news for families and friends who were hoping to catch up over Christmas,’ Ms Geraghty said.
‘I appreciate how difficult this news will be, but our hands are tied until border restrictions ease, and we receive further clarity from the New Zealand Government.’
Customers who are affected should be able to get a refund or hold the fare cost in credit for when flights resume – which the airline is banking on being in January.
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