A planned five-hour strike by Australian air traffic controllers on Friday threatens to disrupt travel plans for hundreds of New Zealanders.
The strike could bring to a halt all flights in an area straddling more than a tenth of the globe.
Richard Dudley, spokesman for employers Air Services Australia, said the 1100
Australian air traffic controllers had responsibility for a large chunk of the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean, as well as flights to, from and around Australia.
"It'll shut down Australian air space," Mr Dudley said.
"It's a complete surprise to us."
The Civil Air Operations Officers Association of Australia, also known as Civil Air, has called the strike from 5pm to 10pm (7pm to midnight NZT) on Friday after lengthy negotiations over work conditions.
Air New Zealand spokesman Cameron Hill today said there would be an impact on travellers if the strike proceeded.
"We are just starting to look at alternative arrangements and contingency plans, " he said.
The airline was not yet sure how many travellers or flights would be affected. However, it would be looking at options including getting some flights into Sydney through the use of manual control systems, earlier departures or flight delays.
- NZPA
