Airlines will soon be making the big call on how much capacity to put back into New Zealand next summer after a bumpy restart during the past year. Reduced capacity sent fares soaring and staff
shortages led to disruption for travellers.

Board of Airline Representatives (Barnz) executive director Cath O’Brien said she hoped there’d be a ‘’moderation in pricing’’ and more options for travel but problems that led to fuel rationing need to be sorted out to lure more capacity back to this country.

But it may take some time for lost luggage problems and processing delays to ease.

She said there would be labour shortages next year.

“The aviation workforce is large – especially when you consider airlines, ground handlers, caterers, security staff, biosecurity.’’

Barnz represents nearly all airlines operating here and O’Brien said members are currently struggling with high vacancy rates, and she said this was unlikely to change in 2023.

“Labour constraints mean that it’s harder to keep the system humming across New Zealand, and that translates into queues and delays, which of course is really frustrating. Airlines, ground handlers and caterers are all working hard to build back workforces, but it’s a tough job.’’