Air New Zealand cuts more Hawke’s Bay flights as fuel costs surge

Air New Zealand is cutting further flights in and out of Hawke’s Bay as the fuel crisis continues to bite.

In March, Air NZ cut 65 return flights to and from Hawke’s Bay Airport between March 16 and May 3 because of the title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/jet-fuel-price-surge-forces-air-new-zealand-to-cancel-1100-flights-the-front-page/TWTDJZQC2VBZBHB5T7BCOHOYJ4/">rising cost of jet fuel following the conflict in the Middle East.

On Tuesday, an Air NZ spokesperson said the carrier had made “a small number of schedule changes for travel across May and June“.

The spokesperson said the changes affect around 4% of flights and 1% of total passengers, but they did not mention which routes would be cut.

Affected flyers were notified via email on Tuesday morning.

In the email, CEO Nikhil Ravishankar explained jet fuel had surged from around US$85-$90 a barrel to above US$200, doubling Air NZ’s fuel bill from roughly $4 million a day to $8.5m for the 22,000 barrels the company uses a day.

He said the company “can’t absorb that level of cost increase without taking action”.

But neither the Air NZ spokesperson nor the email revealed where the affected routes were.

A Hawke’s Bay Airport spokesperson said Air NZ’s “adjustments” would see a reduction of 61 return flights “in comparison to the typical schedule”.

The reduction meant Hawke’s Bay Airport would see 38 fewer return flights to and from Auckland, 19 fewer return flights to and from Wellington and four fewer return flights to and from Christchurch.

Nelson Mayor Nick Smith and Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford confirmed flights were being cut for both Nelson and Tauranga.

Napier MP Katie Nimon said it would be frustrating for residents.

“The Government remains confident the supply of jet fuel is within the normal range, with no signs of any disruption to regular orders, and services are expected to return to normal as conditions stabilise.”

Tukituki MP Catherine Wedd said she had been in “close contact” with a range of local businesses and constituents since the conflict began.

“There is currently no need for public fuel restrictions, and Kiwis can be assured that the Government is planning carefully and acting early.”

Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke’s Bay Today and has worked in radio and media in the UK, Germany, and New Zealand.