Air New Zealand is preparing for potential disruption next month after two cabin crew unions signalled plans for industrial action on 8 December. The notice covers regional, domestic and international services, with staggered strike windows across the full day.
In a message to the travel trade, the airline said it is still negotiating with E tū and the Flight Attendants and Air New Zealanders Association, stressing that its priority is reaching a fair and sustainable agreement. The unions are demanding greater salaries and allowances for its members.
At this stage there is no impact to flights, the carrier stated.
“Strike action on our regional fleets are planned to take place at various times between 05:00am and 11:00pm on Monday 8 December, and on our domestic and international fleets at various times between 12:01am and 11:59pm on Monday 8 December,” it added in the note.
Air New Zealand said it will activate support measures if the strike goes ahead, including rebooking options, airport meals and refreshments, and overnight accommodation where required. Affected customers will be contacted directly.
The airline encouraged agents to ensure travellers have updated contact details in their bookings and are subscribed to the carrier’s Travel Alerts. More information will be posted on the Travel Alerts page as talks continue.
While the airline hopes to avoid industrial action, the timing – covering almost all Monday operations – means agents may need to prepare for short-notice schedule changes.
Potential impact
With the possible strike occurring in the lead-up to the busy summer holiday period, the carrier said up to 15,000 passengers could be affected by any disruptions.
“We’re doing everything we can to avoid strike action. We’re meeting again with the unions this week. And I think our objectives are aligned,” Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar told Herald NOW.
“I think the number will be somewhere between 10-15,000 customers [impacted], possibly. So it’s significant.”
Auckland update
In other news, Auckland Airport has begun building a temporary check-in pavilion beside its international terminal to keep passenger flow steady during major upgrades.
Chief Operations Officer Chloe Surridge said the pavilion – located between the Transport Hub and the terminal – is vital to maintaining operations while the current check-in area undergoes staged improvements from 2026 to 2029.
“While the construction work will be carefully staged a zone at a time, it is going to mean changes to the way we use the check-in hall,” she remarked.
“At times, there will be the need for additional flexible check-in capacity to keep the system operating smoothly, while delivering the long-term transformation.
“The solution is to build a new check-in pavilion – a proven, temporary measure used by airports around the world when required.”
KARRYON UNPACKS: Air New Zealand’s early notice gives the trade crucial time to prepare, but the proposed full-day strike window still carries real disruption risk. For agents selling New Zealand, the priority is clear: confirm client contact details, set expectations now and monitor Travel Alerts closely. If action proceeds, preparedness will matter most.
