Air New Zealand said it would cut around 5% of its flights, or roughly 1,100 services, through early May as surging jet fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East disrupt the global aviation sector.
The airline said about 44,000 passengers out of the 1.9 million expected to travel during the period would need to be rebooked because of the changes.
Chief Executive Nikhil Ravishankar said both domestic and international routes would be affected, although fewer long-haul services would be reduced.
Fuel Prices Shake Aviation Sector
The cuts come as airlines around the world face rising fuel costs after the conflict in the Middle East triggered sharp increases in oil prices.
Several carriers, including Australia’s Qantas, Scandinavian airline SAS and Thai Airways, have already announced airfare increases this week to offset higher operating costs.
Many airlines have also been forced to cancel flights to the region or take longer routes to avoid areas affected by missile and drone activity.
Demand Shifts To Alternative Routes
Despite the disruption, Air New Zealand said demand for flights to Europe remained strong, particularly via the United States.
Ravishankar said travellers were increasingly choosing routes that bypass Middle Eastern airspace, turning U.S. routes into popular stopovers for passengers heading to Europe.
Airlines across Asia have reported similar trends as travellers seek safer flight paths.
Ripple Effects Across Global Travel
The conflict has disrupted global aviation and shipping routes, sending oil prices higher and raising fears of fuel shortages in some countries.
Sydney Airport officials warned that Australia relies heavily on imported aviation fuel and holds about 25 to 30 days of supply in storage and pipelines.
Other airlines are also adjusting operations. Cathay Pacific said it would raise fuel surcharges and cancel flights to some Middle Eastern destinations while adding services to Europe.
The ongoing conflict is now affecting travel far beyond the region, highlighting how geopolitical tensions can quickly ripple through the global aviation industry.
(with inputs from Reuters)
