As a result of Covid-19's strong effect on potential travel demand, Air New Zealand will not reopen its suspended routes from Auckland to Buenos Aires and Los Angeles to London. The airline has agreed to put off the launch of the Auckland-New York non-stop service as early as October 2021.

Air New Zealand's Buenos Aires and Los Angeles-London flights, along with 95% of their international travel, are now suspended until June 30 due to public transit constraints and low demand.

The airline revealed its decision in October last year to exit the Los Angeles-London route and in March, its London cabin crew base was shut down.

Nick Judd, chief of Air New Zealand networks, strategies, and partnerships, said international travel demand was registered by June in the region of 5% of pre-Covid-19 rates.

Air New Zealand currently operates a restricted international network until 30 June in order to keep air links on key trading routes open for critical transport and freight transport. The overall capacity of pre-COVID-19 rates has been reduced to 95 percent and before services are restored demand must be updated on a routine basis.

Air New Zealand conducted a regular air service from Los Angeles and London and from Auckland to Buenos Aires up to five days a week before Covid-19.