Air New Zealand is adding extra flights to get customers where they need to be amidst delays and cancellations following Cyclone Gabrielle. With flights planned to resume today to all ports except New Plymouth, Napier, and Gisborne, high winds continue to challenge and disrupt airport operations.
Domestic and international jet operations restarted from mid-morning, however, temporary delays have occurred due to strong gusts of wind at Auckland Airport. After the airline intended to resume turboprop operations from mid-afternoon, high winds hindered the schedule. Turboprop flights in and out of Auckland are subject to weather conditions, while flights in and out of New Plymouth, Napier, and Gisborne remain suspended.
“While it’s good news that planes are able to start flying again across the North Island,” said Leanne Geraghty, Air New Zealand Chief Customers and Sales Officer, “unfortunately, conditions at New Plymouth, Napier, and Gisborne airports mean flying isn’t possible until tomorrow at the earliest. Our hearts go out to these affected regions who continue to be battered by Cyclone Gabrielle. We’ll get services back up to connect regions as soon as possible.”
A total of 592 flights have been impacted due to the cyclone, and 35,000 customers have been disrupted.
“Urgent work is underway to rebook customers onto other flights – with around 1,500 international customers still to be rebooked. Flights are very full, but we’re working as fast as we can to rebook these remaining customers into the next available seats, and we’ve been in touch with them to let them know we’re pulling out all the stops to get people flying again. This includes getting all our customer teams to support the rebooking effort.”
Extra flights, where possible, are being arranged as quickly as possible by the airline. It continues to search for all available options, including adding larger planes from Star Alliance partners. More international flights and larger aircraft to Fiji, Samoa, and Tahiti will speed up the recovery from the Pacific.
Air New Zealand extended their flexibility for affected customers until 17 February 2023. International customers can change their travel up to 8 March 2023 without a change or service fee.
