Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon has promised to meet with Canterbury's mayors over the airline's decision to axe its direct flights between Christchurch and Tokyo.
The airline says the decision was taken because of the extra cost involved in flying to Christchurch, as opposed to Auckland.
Mr Luxon on Wednesday met with Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel, who had been critical of the move.
Ms Dalziel said the meeting was a useful step in establishing a much closer relationship between the region's mayors and Air New Zealand.