Covid 19 coronavirus Delta outbreak: Bay airports open but not for travellers

Air NZ's schedule until September 6 does not feature any Tauranga or Rotorua flights. Photo / File

All Air NZ domestic flights in and out of Tauranga and Rotorua have been cancelled until further notice.

But both city airports remain open as a ''lifeline utility'' for medical emergencies and essential worker transfers.

On any given day the carrier would usually have 30 flights going in and out of Tauranga and 13 flights in and out of Rotorua.

Its schedule up until today did not feature any domestic departures or returns at either airport.

Rotorua Airport during remains open but only as a lifeline utility base. Photo / Andrew Warner

Rotorua Airport chief executive Mark Gibb said intermittently any emergency medical, military flights or any transfers of essential workers would carry on.

''It was pretty much the case during the last lockdown. My understanding is that Air NZ is only running flights for essential workers out of the key hubs so it is not surprising that Rotorua does not feature on this as it would be very difficult to operate a service out of here.''

Situation normal would happen in alert level 2, he said.

There would be a negative impact on revenue but future financial forecasts were conservative, he said.

''We've taken a very conservative view around how we've set our finances up. We have reflected there will be vulnerability around our income flows.''

''So these shorter-term lockdowns whilst they are concerning it won't pose any substantial negative issues around the financial stability of the company.''

Tauranga Airport manager Ray Dumble. Photo / NZME

Tauranga Airport manager Ray Dumble said it was on call and also remained open.

''All regional airports have been asked to be available. So we have rescue pilots on duty but there has not been any need for them.''

The situation would impact on the airport's revenue and Dumble said the wage subsidy would be welcomed by other businesses who were based on site.

Air New Zealand has cancelled all domestic flights out of Tauranga airport. Photo / George Novak

''Because there are so many employers based out here, the wage subsidy is definitely a help.''

Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran. Photo / NZME

Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran said while it ''can't fly as often as we'd like, we're doing everything we can to get people safely to where they need to go''.

The changes were about providing assurance to customers who have made plans to travel over the next few weeks.

"We're extending our Covid-19 flexibility policy for domestic travel out to October 31. This means, in addition to allowing a waiver of the change fee, customers can place their booking in credit if their travel plans have changed."

The airline was still flying on a reduced schedule to other major cities including Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson and Wellington.

"While travel remains very restricted under Alert Level 3, the extra flights will help transport cargo and essential workers around Aotearoa," he said.

An Air NZ spokeswoman said there significant were also precautions in place for its operating crew set out by the Ministry of Health.

''Work has been well underway to enhance our onboard safety protocols in response to the Delta variant. This includes upgrading PPE and working closely with the Government around testing and vaccination requirements.''