“While our focus remains on avoiding strike action entirely, strike action is still planned for around half of the crew who work on the narrowbody fleet.”
Air New Zealand’s narrowbody jets are from the Airbus A320 family.
Its widebody aircraft are Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 777s.
Its turboprops are the ATR 72 and the de Havilland Dash 8 (Q300).
The Flight Attendants’ Association of New Zealand and cabin crew at E tū had been planning to go on strike next week.
Dines said the airline reached agreements in principle with the two unions, and strike notices for both fleets had been withdrawn.
“We are now working together on finalising collective agreements for cabin crew to vote on,” Dines added.
“This is a significant step forward and greatly reduces any potential impact on customers,” she said.
“Bargaining at this scale inevitably creates pressure and uncertainty, and we acknowledge the impact this period has had across our cabin crew and wider operation.”
She added: “We appreciate the constructive engagement shown by union representatives and our people throughout this process.”
Dines said the breakthrough with unions was good for customers and should provide certainty for flyers on regional turboprop and international widebody trips.
Last month, E tū said those who voted to strike worked across international, domestic and regional routes and had been trying for months to get better pay and rosters.
John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation. He has previously covered consumer affairs, crime, politics and courts.
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