25 Feb 2011

Air NZ forced to cancel some domestic flights

1:23 am on 25 February 2011

Air New Zealand says it has had to cancel some flights on domestic routes in order to increase departures out of earthquake-hit Christchurch.

Chief executive Rob Fyfe says 19 additional 737 planes carrying about 2500 people will leave Christchurch every day until Sunday.

Mr Fyfe says some flights between Auckland and Wellington, and Auckland and Queenstown have been cancelled, and the airline is looking at postponing some flights to Australia.

About 40 of Air New Zealand's 1900 Christchurch staff are unaccounted for after the quake and he will be going to their homes on Thursday in an effort to find them.

Ferry refit delayed

The Interislander company has delayed the refit of one of its Cook Strait ferries so it can continue to carry freight and passengers to and from Christchurch.

The Aratere was to be in Singapore next month to increase its length and add a new bow.