Chartered planes and others in the Air New Zealand fleet will be used at regional airports to plug the gap caused by 180 Air Nelson pilots going on strike.
The three-day strike, starting today, will disrupt 21 Q300, 50-seater flights scheduled to leave Tauranga for Wellington, Auckland or Christchurch.
Air New Zealand
corporate communications manager Tracey Palmer said Tauranga passengers would be put on alternative flights the same day but might be delayed.
Air New Zealand staff were trying to contact all passengers by phone but recommended that anyone wanting information should get in touch.
Compensation for the impact of flight delays on travellers' transport and accommodation would be assessed on a case-by-case basis by Air New Zealand staff at each airport.
Air New Zealand says it is disappointed that members of the New Zealand Airline Pilots' Association (ALPA) at its subsidiary, Air Nelson, have gone ahead with three full-day strikes during the busy school holiday travel period.
Bruce Parton, Air New Zealand's group general manager of short-haul airlines, said it appeared the union did not fully appreciate the challenging commercial environment in which the company was operating.
"NZALPA's claims are unsustainable and, in total, would cost Air Nelson more than $8 million annually.
"Their claims around time off, including weekends, would require Air Nelson to employ more than 30 additional pilots, at an annual cost of more than $3.5 million.
"Other claims relating to rostering, pay and allowances would cost the company a further $4.5 million."
If the airline were to accept NZALPA's claims it would have no choice but to pass on the extra costs to customers through higher air fares, Mr Parton said.
Air Nelson general manager John Hambleton said contingency plans had ensured customers were being looked after.
There had been only one delay, caused by adverse weather.
Association executive director Rick Mirkin said there were pay issues, but the sticking point with pilots was the unsatisfactory work-life balance they endured.
He said pilots were often stuck at work until 11pm and had been pushing for rostering relief for a year.
