Home » AIRLINE NEWS » New Zealand in Travel Turmoil as Passengers in Auckland, Kerikeri, Napier, Wellington and more Experiences over a Dozen Cancellations and Numerous Delays by Air New Zealand

Published on
November 21, 2025

Air New Zealand halted operations on critical routes, sparking frustration among daily commuters and tourists alike. Consequently, the national carrier faces intense scrutiny after data revealed a sudden spike in flight cancellations. This operational turmoil hits Auckland and Wellington hard, disrupting the country’s busiest gateways. Furthermore, the impact extends deep into the regions. Essential connections to Kerikeri, Napier and Palmerston North vanished from the schedule overnight. Similarly, travelers in Rotorua, Tauranga and Whangārei experienced significant delays and unexpected cancellations. According to FlightAware’s data, there’s a total of 14 cancellations and 96 delays reported. This sudden breakdown in connectivity highlights the fragility of the current regional network. The following report analyzes the specific flight data to understand the full scope of these interruptions. We will now examine the exact routes and schedules that caused this widespread travel chaos.

A detailed examination of the flight schedule reveals that the cancellations were predominantly focused on regional services operated by turboprop aircraft. The specific flights that were removed from the schedule include:

ANZ5223 (DH8C): Whangarei to Auckland, scheduled for Thursday at 05:16 PM.ANZ5105 (AT72): Auckland to Palmerston North, scheduled for Thursday at 06:05 PM.ANZ5155 (DH8C): Auckland to Rotorua, scheduled for Thursday at 06:27 PM.ANZ5103 (AT72): Auckland to Palmerston North, scheduled for Thursday at 06:50 PM.ANZ5108 (AT72): Palmerston North to Auckland, scheduled for Thursday at 08:35 PM.ANZ5100 (AT72): Palmerston North to Auckland, scheduled for Friday at 06:10 AM.ANZ5251 (DH8C): Tauranga to Wellington, scheduled for Friday at 06:45 AM.ANZ5150 (DH8C): Rotorua to Auckland, scheduled for Friday at 07:00 AM.ANZ5013 (AT72): Auckland to Napier, scheduled for Friday at 08:15 AM.ANZ5004 (AT72): Napier to Auckland, scheduled for Friday at 08:20 AM.ANZ5266 (DH8C): Auckland to Kerikeri, scheduled for Friday at 08:45 AM.ANZ5264 (DH8C): Wellington to Tauranga, scheduled for Friday at 09:00 AM.ANZ5010 (AT72): Napier to Auckland, scheduled for Friday at 09:55 AM.ANZ5267 (DH8C): Kerikeri to Auckland, scheduled for Friday at 10:05 AM.

These services were operated by De Havilland Dash 8-300 (DH8C) and ATR 72-600 (AT72) aircraft, which are the backbone of Air New Zealand‘s regional fleet.

The disruptions were distributed across several key domestic corridors. The Auckland to Palmerston North route was particularly impacted, with multiple services cancelled in both directions on Thursday evening and Friday morning. Similarly, the Auckland to Napier and Auckland to Rotorua sectors saw significant service reductions.

The connectivity between regional centers and major international gateways was compromised. Routes such as Tauranga to Wellington and Whangarei to Auckland were severed during peak travel times. This pattern suggests that the operational difficulties were not isolated to a single route but were felt across the broader regional network that connects the North Island’s provinces.

Delays

In addition to the confirmed cancellations, a substantial number of delays were recorded. A total of 96 flights were delayed, contributing to a delay percentage of 17%. When a delay percentage reaches this level, it is often observed that subsequent flights are impacted by knock-on effects, as aircraft and crews are displaced from their original rosters.

The airports affected by these cancellations and delays include some of the busiest and most critical hubs in New Zealand:

The cancellation of flights into tourism-heavy destinations such as Rotorua, Kerikeri and Napier might have an immediate impact on local visitor economies. New Zealand relies on domestic tourism to support regional hospitality and attraction businesses. When morning flights—such as the 06:45 AM from Tauranga or the 07:00 AM from Rotorua—are cancelled, business meetings and day trips are often abandoned entirely.

For destinations like the Bay of Islands (served by Kerikeri) and Hawke’s Bay (served by Napier), the loss of connectivity with Air New Zealand from the main international gateway in Auckland can disrupt the itineraries of international visitors connecting to domestic flights. Accommodation providers and tour operators in these regions may experience last-minute cancellations as travelers are unable to reach their destinations as planned.

Passengers affected by these cancellations and delays are advised to take immediate steps to manage their travel plans.

Check Flight Status: It is recommended that the Air New Zealand app or website be checked frequently for the most up-to-date information regarding rescheduled services.Rebooking Options: Passengers on cancelled flights are typically rebooked on the next available service. However, given the high load factors often seen on these regional routes, availability may be limited.Contact the Airline: If the automated rebooking options are unsuitable, the airline should be contacted directly. It is noted that call wait times may be longer than usual during periods of widespread disruption.Retain Receipts: For those facing significant delays, receipts for reasonable expenses such as food and essential items should be kept. Under aviation consumer laws in New Zealand, compensation for costs may be claimed if the disruption is within the airline’s control, though specific eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis.

By remaining informed and proactive, travelers can navigate the current turmoil affecting the New Zealand aviation network.

-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.