Air NZ cancels more than 1,000 flights to Australia over "border uncertainty"

Air New Zealand has been forced to cancel over 1000 flights between Australia and New Zealand through to 31 December, as hopes are dashed for a resumption of the trans-Tasman bubble by Christmas. The airline said that the slew of cancellations, which will affect in excess of 20,000 passengers in total, were necessary due to “uncertainty” over the resumption of quarantine-free trans-Tasman travel. It comes after New Zealand first announced the suspension of its quarantine-free travel agreement with Australia in July, which has since been extended. The trans-Tasman bubble was first implemented in April. “Now, due to recent statements by the New Zealand Government that quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand is unlikely to re-commence this year, we’ve had to make the difficult decision to change our schedule,” said Air NZ Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty. “This will be particularly tough news for families and friends who were hoping to catch up over Christmas. I appreciate how difficult this news will be, but our hands are tied until border restrictions ease, and we receive further clarity from the New Zealand Government.”<br/>