Air New Zealand cancels 46 international flights as cabin crew launch a 48-hour strike over pay. 9,500 passengers face disruptions amid stalled union negotiations.

International cabin crew for Air New Zealand began a 48-hour strike today, February 12, forcing the cancellation of 46 long-haul flights. This industrial action impacts approximately 9,500 passengers traveling between Auckland and major hubs in North America and Asia. The E tū union and Flight Attendants’ Association of New Zealand (FAANZ) confirmed the walkout after negotiations regarding pay and roster stability collapsed. Domestic and regional services remain unaffected, but the grounding of wide-body Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft marks a significant escalation in the labour dispute.

OPERATIONAL DISRUPTION

The immediate grounding of wide-body fleets cripples a vital segment of the carrier’s international network. Flight operations to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Tokyo face total suspension during the 48-hour window.

46 wide-body services canceled explicitly due to crew unavailability.

9,500 passengers require rebooking or refunds within a 14-day window.

Domestic and regional turboprop flights continue on normal schedules.

Cargo-only flights remain operational to maintain export supply chains.

Management activated contingency plans earlier this week by pre-emptively canceling at-risk services. Chief Customer Officer Jeremy O’Brien stated that teams are working continuously to re-accommodate stranded travelers. However, limited seat availability on partner airlines exacerbates the bottleneck for displaced passengers.

FINANCIAL DISCREPANCIES

Union representatives argue that current base salaries are insufficient for the high cost of living in 2026. E tū National Secretary Rachel Mackintosh highlights that many flight attendants earn a guaranteed base of less than NZ$60,000 annually.

Base pay: <$60,000 NZD excluding flight allowances.

Living costs: Inflationary pressures in Auckland outpace wage growth.

Roster instability: Crew cite unpredictable shifts as a barrier to financial planning.

Executive pay gap: Union leaders question the disparity between record executive bonuses and

crew wages.

The airline counters that total compensation packages are competitive when factoring in travel allowances. Management claims the union rejected a “fair and realistic” offer that included immediate rate hikes. This standoff raises questions about the sustainability of the airline’s post-pandemic financial recovery model.

UNION STRATEGY AND DEMANDS

Labor leaders positioned this strike as a “last resort” following ten months of deadlocked bargaining. The unions demand structural changes to roster management, ensuring predictable downtime for fatigue recovery.

Specific demand for guaranteed income increases, not just variable allowances.

Call for enforceable limits on consecutive long-haul duty periods.

Requirement for back-pay to cover the extended negotiation period.

Crew members emphasize that their role involves critical safety and crisis management duties, not just service. The visible picket lines at Auckland International Airport aim to garner public sympathy despite the travel chaos. Public sentiment remains divided between frustrated passengers and support for fair labour practices.

This strike sets a precarious precedent for impending labour contracts across the Australasian aviation sector. Continued disruption threatens Air New Zealand’s brand reputation for reliability in the premium long-haul market. If a resolution is not reached by February 14, unions hint at further, prolonged industrial action. Investors will closely monitor the airline’s next quarterly report for the financial toll of these cancellations. The outcome will likely force a re-evaluation of operational costs versus workforce retention strategies in 2026.