Tomorow night earliest for flights from NZ to USA

Flights to the United States are unlikely to resume until the weekend.

United States aviation officials announced a limited resumption of commercial flights yesterday to allow travellers stranded around the country as a result of the terrorist strikes to return home.

But Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta extended all other aspects of the nationwide "groundstop" until new security measures are put into effect at the country's airports.

Air New Zealand cancelled 10 flights yesterday, and was not accepting any US-bound passengers.

"The resumption of normal operations within the United States national airspace system is expected to be a lengthy process," said an Air New Zealand spokesman.

All flights from New Zealand to the US were cancelled early Wednesday morning, and some, already en-route, were diverted. Britain closed its airspace temporarily but reopened later. Some transtasman flights operated by US airlines have also been cancelled because of connections to Los Angeles.

Authorities in the United States were unable to indicate yesterday when flights would resume, although it is unlikely there will be a resumption before tomorrow night.

New Zealand air travellers affected by the terrorist strikes in the US are unlikely to be penalised by cancellation or rebooking fees.

Air New Zealand Ansett Group has reviewed its policy on booking changes and ticket re-issuing fees for passengers affected by the cancellation of flights.

Passengers who had booked and paid for flights between September 12 and 14 can seek refunds.

Those passengers travelling to, from or via the US and Britain between September 12 and 18 can reschedule on flights departing up to November 30 without a penalty fee - this includes return legs for travellers with partially used tickets.

Air New Zealand and Qantas footed the bill for accommodating Wednesday's diverted passengers. But the situation is less certain for travellers stranded by cancellations.

Consumers' Institute chief executive David Russell said insured travellers affected by the terrorism and associated disruptions should lodge claims. However, he warned their acceptance depended on policy terms, which may exclude terrorism or acts of war.

Insurance Council of New Zealand chief executive Chris Ryan believed most claims were likely to be met, including those for airfares, accommodation and losses.

But insurance companies were considering some exclusions.

Meanwhile, it was announced yesterday that foreign travellers whose permits to be in New Zealand expired because of flight-schedule disruptions would get extensions.

Qantas said passengers ticketed to fly to, from or through the US could cancel and be refunded or reschedule without penalty.

Qantas is yet to make a decision on passengers affected by Britain's airspace closures.

Qantas again cancelled all of its scheduled flights to the US yesterday because of the continued shutdown of American airports.

United Airlines in New Zealand advises it may be able to resume services with the scheduled departure for Los Angeles on Saturday evening. Passengers booked on the eight United flights cancelled so far can call 09 379 3800 to provide reservations with their local contact number.

Full coverage: Terror in America

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The fatal flights

Emergency telephone numbers for friends and family of victims and survivors

These numbers are valid for calls from within New Zealand, but may be overloaded at the moment.

United Airlines: 0168 1800 932 8555

American Airlines: 0168 1800 245 0999

NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade: 0800 872 111

US Embassy in Wellington (recorded info): 04 472 2068

Survivor databases

Air New Zealand flights affected

Air NZ flight information: 0800 737-000.