Coronavirus: Air New Zealand slashes regional routes during lockdown period

Air NZ is slashing the number of regional routes as it struggles to deal with the effects of the coronavirus, with demand down 99% from normal. The airline says it will operate a limited domestic schedule from April 3 to enable essential travel only and to keep air freight moving. Overall, domestic capacity will reduce by 95% from pre-Covid-19 levels. Story lists airline's domestic schedule. Air NZ is taking 7000 flights off the future schedule. CRO Cam Wallace says the airline would usually fly more than 400 domestic flights daily prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. "Domestic travel is still an option but is extremely limited while New Zealand is at Alert Level 4 and we have updated our schedule to reflect this. In the coming weeks we will be operating a limited number of flights a day using our A320 jet aircraft, as well as our ATR and Q300 turboprop aircraft," said Wallace. "Kiwis are respecting the Government's essential travel only advice, however, we still ask customers to please check they qualify to travel under the essential services list before booking a ticket or going to the airport." The airline has set up a dedicated Covid-19 information hub on its website. On Wednesday, the airline had just one plane flying during the normal morning rush-hour, and it was empty. Air NZ has also reduced its international network to just 11 routes. <br/>