Air New Zealand will not resume operation of its suspended Auckland-Buenos Aires and Los Angeles-London routes due to the deep impact of COVID-19 on forward travel demand. The airline has also taken the decision to postpone the commencement of its non-stop Auckland-New York service from October 29, 2020 until late 2021 at the earliest.
Along with 95% of its international flying, Air New Zealand's Buenos Aires and Los Angeles-London routes are currently suspended through to June 30, due to government travel bans and low demand. Last year, the airline announced its plan to exit the Los Angeles-London route in October 2020 and in March brought forward the closure of its London cabin crew base.
Air New Zealand Chief Networks, Strategy and Alliances Officer Nick Judd says demand for international travel has been tracking at about five percent of pre-COVID-19 levels into June.
