Air New Zealand puts hold on bookings for Australia flights until 28 August

Air New Zealand has put a hold on further bookings to Australia until 28 August.

The airline put a hold on new bookings in early July to help the government organise quarantine for incoming passengers and yesterday announced the freeze had been extended until 9 August.

The Australian government has a cap of 30 passenger arrivals per flight into Sydney and Brisbane in place.

International passenger arrivals into Melbourne are not currently permitted until 8 August.

The airline's chief commercial and customer officer Cam Wallace says the hold is to ensure future bookings are not disrupted, should the Australian government extend their restrictions.

"We know there are people wanting to head home to Australia at this time and we'll be ready to fly them as soon as we are able to accommodate more passengers," he said.