Air New Zealand Cabin Crew Announce December Strike

Air New Zealand cabin crew will strike next month after negotiations failed to secure a fair deal on pay and conditions.

About 1250 E tū members across international, domestic, and regional fleets will stop work for 24 hours on Monday, 8 December. Unions have negotiated with Air New Zealand since April but failed to reach agreement on pay or essential working conditions.

Growing Concerns Over Fatigue and Fair Pay

Crew say the latest offer does not reflect their responsibilities, workload pressures, or serious fatigue risks. One crew member said the airline demands more productivity without addressing safety or fatigue issues.

They said fatigue threatens safety for both passengers and crew on every flight. They said the company expects staff to trade hard-won conditions for a basic inflation-level pay rise. They also described declining morale and a disconnect between crew and management.

Air New Zealand Responds to Strike Action

Air New Zealand confirmed it received formal strike notices from E tū and FAANZ, covering about 80 percent of cabin crew.

Chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar said “Regional staff will strike between 5am and 11pm on 8 December.” He said “Domestic and international crews will strike between 12:01am and 11:59pm the same day.” 

He further expressed the airline values its crew and wants a fair and sustainable agreement. He said the company must also balance travel affordability in a difficult economic climate.

Airline Plans to Reduce Customer Disruption

Air New Zealand says it will work to minimise disruption for passengers during the strike. The airline may rebook travellers and provide meals, refreshments, or accommodation when necessary.

Customers will receive updates directly as more information becomes available. Negotiations will continue next week as both sides aim to avoid major disruption.