Air New Zealand is getting another 12 months of government support for cargo flights as the pandemic continues to disrupt international air passenger travel.
Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
The government's Maintaining International Air Connectivity scheme (MIAC scheme) will support about 60 flights per week to destinations including Los Angeles, Vancouver, Hong Kong, Shanghai and key Pacific Islands and Australian ports.
Air New Zealand said the scheme would provide up to $180 million towards the airline's cargo revenue over the 12 months from 1 April, which compared with a $182m contribution in the first half of the financial year ended in December.
The support was expected to continue to taper off as international passenger travel picked up.
The MIAC scheme was put in place to keep New Zealand connected to its global trade partners and allow for essential international travel to continue while international borders remained effectively closed.