The Middle East war would cost it about $240m more than it had previously expected to pay for jet fuel.<\/p>\n
Opening up new routes amid this situation may seem to be an unusual move.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe talk a lot at the airline about being able to hold two opposing thoughts and still function. It\u2019s a bit of a rollercoaster ride here at the airline.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fuel crisis will pass, and we\u2019ve got very good plans on how to mitigate and deal with the fuel crisis. The ability to walk and chew gum, as they say, is super critical for us at this stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why Christchurch? <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a great buzz down there, isn\u2019t there? Christchurch is really driving our recovery, as a city in New Zealand, and we want to support that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Air New Zealand chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar says Christchurch is thriving, making it a logical place to introduce new air services.<\/p>\n
The airline last flew from Christchurch to Singapore in 2020, to Narita (Tokyo) in 2015 and to Perth in 2019.<\/p>\n
The move is helped by the 787 aircraft returning to service after being grounded due to global engine maintenance issues, and new 787 aircraft entering the fleet.<\/p>\n
Air New Zealand and Christchurch Airport have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a long-term partnership that includes stronger international connections for the South Island.<\/p>\n
Christchurch Airport chief executive Justin Watson describes it as a \u201clandmark moment\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing multiple new international widebody services launch from Christchurch builds on the growth already happening across our international network and creates major opportunities for freight exporters, the tourism sector and our wider economy,\u201d Watson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew routes don\u2019t happen overnight. They take sustained effort, collaboration, and giving airlines and travellers even more reasons to choose Christchurch. That means creating the right conditions for more non-stop services, supporting our partner airlines to grow successfully here, and continuing to strengthen our role as the South Island\u2019s international gateway.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tourism Minister Louise Upston welcomed the move to deepen connectivity into and out of the South Island.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew Zealand is a trading nation, so being well connected to the world matters. It supports tourism, helps our exporters reach global markets, and ensures people and goods can move reliably, Upston said.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s still no sign of a long-awaited return to London.<\/p>\n
Air New Zealand permanently axed its Los Angeles to London route in October 2020.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese aren\u2019t mutually exclusive. There\u2019s a lot more growth coming and we\u2019re thinking about where we would deploy it. London remains one of the options that we\u2019re looking at,\u201d Ravishankar said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut there\u2019s a lot we want to do even before those aircraft and capacity show up around making London more accessible through us and our alliance partners.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a tough route for the airline, logistically and economically.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one of the routes we really want to restart.\u201d<\/p>\n
But no date has been set, or even hinted at.<\/p>\n
Behind the gloomy financial results and negative outlook, Ravishankar was determined to be positive and forward-focused.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to plan for a world where the fuel crisis passes, and that\u2019s what we\u2019re trying to do is to start to build for a more profitable and prosperous airline, but always in service of the country, where Kiwis want to and need to travel, that\u2019s where we will focus our attention.\u201d<\/p>\n