\u201cIt\u2019s a waste of carbon. We\u2019re inefficiently burning carbon, which airlines hate to do,\u201d she told the Herald.<\/p>\n
Airlines could not cancel flights just because the costs of the journey had risen, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAirlines are in the business of getting passengers where they want to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
O\u2019Brien said New Zealand\u2019s 24-day minimum stockholding obligations for jet fuel gave it a better degree of fuel security than it had in the past.<\/p>\n
Last year, Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones said Cabinet approved regulations giving fuel companies until November 1 this year to increase jet fuel holdings at or near Auckland Airport. <\/p>\n
Some reports have described a jet fuel shipment in Fiji as being contaminated and unusable, thereby causing a shortage.<\/p>\n
The Herald has contacted Fiji Airports for comment.<\/p>\n
Fiji Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka told website Fiji Village there was no contamination.<\/p>\n
Air New Zealand said over the past two days it had taken steps to manage fuel restrictions in Fiji.<\/p>\n
Those measures included tankering fuel, cancelling one service and upgauging two services to widebody aircraft.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll impacted passengers have been reaccommodated on services departing the same day,\u201d an airline spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this stage, our flights to and from Nadi are expected to operate as scheduled,\u201d they added this evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf a customer\u2019s flight is impacted, we\u2019ll contact them directly using the contact details provided in their booking to discuss their options. They can also check the status of Air New Zealand flights here and keep an eye on the Air NZ app for updates.\u201d<\/p>\n
The airline said it would work to minimise any disruption.<\/p>\n
Air New Zealand has upgauged (switched to bigger aircraft) on two services in response to the Fiji fuel shortage. Photo \/ Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage<\/p>\n
The Australian said Virgin Australia confirmed services to Nadi were currently refuelling mid-journey, in either Vanuatu or New Caledonia.<\/p>\n
Virgin Australia reportedly cancelled some services to Fiji.<\/p>\n
The Australian said Qantas was upgauging, using a widebody A330 on its Sydney-Nadi service instead of the narrowbody B737.<\/p>\n