Air New Zealand brings back flight credit over projected omicron disruption

Air New Zealand passengers have been given the option to delay travel plans for February. Photo / Will Waters, Unsplash

Air New Zealand has brought back its credit flexibility scheme over projected disruption from omicron.

The airline is allowing passengers with travel during February to cancel fares in exchange for credit with the airline or change travel dates, without rebooking fees.

The airline is expecting a large number of passengers who cannot or no longer wish to fly, says Leanne Geraghty, Air New Zealand's chief of customer and sales officer.

"Based on what we've seen happen to other airlines around the world, and the modelling we've seen here for New Zealand, we're anticipating Omicron will have a considerable impact on our customers and employees over the next few weeks," said Geraghty.

Flights booked before 11:59pm 23 January and scheduled to depart up until 28 February 2022 can now be changed without a fee. Whether the scheme needs to be extended will be assessed at a late date.

"There may be thousands of our customers dealing with Omicron in the coming weeks, and we want them to know they don't need to worry about their flights."

It is a return to the fare flexibility scheme which was launched in reaction to the original Covid outbreak, and which expired in October last year.

The airline introduced flexi and flexi-refund fares with insurance against disruption, last year. Flexible fares will still be available during this period, says the airline.

Many passengers hold fares they no longer wish to use after summer events being cancelled, with respect to the omicron outbreak.

However, the airline has also predicted that an increased number of people being required to isolate may impact the plans of both travellers and air crew.

There could be further disruption ahead.

Last weekend an Air New Zealand crew member tested positive for omicron, resulting in 15 colleagues being stood down. There were six flights registered as places of interest on the Covid-19 contact tracing list.

Customers who changed their flights between 24 January and 27 January should call the Air New Zealand contact centre on 0800 737 000 to arrange a refund on change fees.