April 7 - Air New Zealand said on Tuesday it will reduce the number of flights operating in May and June and implement fare increases as elevated jet fuel prices linked to the Iran war push operating costs higher.
The carrier described the moves as its second operational consolidation in almost a month. The latest adjustments will touch roughly 4% of scheduled flights and are expected to affect approximately 1% of the airline's total passengers travelling across May and June.
"Like airlines globally, we’re experiencing jet fuel prices that are more than double what they would usually be,"
Air New Zealand said it will notify customers who are affected from 2100 GMT on Monday, with all notifications to be completed by the end of the week.
Earlier in March, about two weeks after the conflict began, the airline announced a separate round of cuts that removed 5% of its flights through early May. The company also pointed to closures at major aviation hubs in the Middle East as an additional pressure on international travel operations.
Operational context
The airline’s announcement links higher fares and capacity reductions directly to sharply higher jet fuel costs and travel disruptions stemming from the Iran war and related airport closures in the region. This latest round of consolidation follows the carrier’s March decision to cut a portion of its schedule and represents a continued response to the evolving cost and operational environment.
Customer communications
Air New Zealand has committed to informing affected customers within the stated notification window. The company did not disclose additional details on the fare increases or whether the reductions will be adjusted further beyond the May-June period.
The airline’s statement framed the adjustments as part of a broader, industry-wide set of challenges tied to fuel inflation and regional travel disruptions.