Up to 15,000 passengers could be affected by disruptions on Air New Zealand flights if cabin crew go ahead with a planned strike ahead of Christmas. The industrial action, slated for December 8, is being held as the airline’s largely unionised crew demand greater salaries and allowances. Appearing on Herald NOW this morning, Air New Zealand chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar said the airline is looking at cancelling flights and rebooking passengers but will work to keep disruptions to a minimum.

Air New Zealand says a flight bound for Brisbane from Wellington has been forced to turn around due to an air traffic control outage. | Sky News Australia