Covid 19 coronavirus: What alert level extension means for air travel

Jetstar will suspend all flights here and Air NZ will slash its domestic services through Auckland next week following the announcement alert levels around the country be stay in place for 12 days longer. The continuation of level three in Auckland and level two for the rest of the country for a full two weeks means the number of passengers the airline can carry will fall further. Jetstar said tonight that following the Government announcement and the implications this has for air travel, it would temporarily suspend domestic flights from Wednesday August 18 until at least the end of Wednesday, August 26. "Once restrictions lift, we have the ability to resume flying quickly and look forward to returning to the skies as soon as possible," the airline said. The Qantas subsidiary was contacting impacted customers about their options which includes the option to move their flight or cancel their flights and receive travel credits. Air New Zealand says it "will endeavour" to operate its current schedule as planned throughout the weekend and on Monday August 17 to allow people seeking to return home to do so. From Tuesday it will operate a reduced domestic schedule to and from Auckland. There will be 13 weekly returns to Christchurch, 3 to Gisborne, 7 to Kerikeri, 3 to Napier, 3 to Palmerston North, 3 to Tauranga, 7 to Wellington and 7 to Whangarei. The remainder of the network - which is under level 2 - is unchanged.<br/>