Air New Zealand could have scope to drop fares on long-haul routes to fend off competition when its fuel-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliners come into service.

A test pilot who flew the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its maiden flight today said it went according to plan.

Good timing - and a crucial Kiwi connection - brought Team New Zealand and airline Emirates together.

Virgin Australia has launched wireless inflight entertainment on its transtasman flights for smartphones, laptops or tablets.

The Government is still working through the best way to sell down its stake in Air New Zealand but says it will be a faster sales process than the power companies.

Airwork NZ is expanding into Europe, buying 14 rescue helicopters used by a German motoring organisation.

Demand for airline pilots is growing around the world with half a million vacancies opening up in the next 20 years and shortages most acute in the Asia Pacific region.

Emirates has increased fuel consumption across its fast-growing fleet by almost 16 per cent over the past year, but says its efficiency per passenger is improving and is now markedly better than the industry average.

Air NZ has announced a major shake-up of its regional services, including an end to all Wairarapa services, fewer flights from Wanganui and a boost to its Rotorua services.

Australian competition regulators are imposing strict conditions on the extension of Air New Zealand's transtasman alliance with Virgin Australia.

A former Air New Zealand flight attendant who was forced to hand over her bank records and Facebook page for an employment investigation has won her case.

Jetstar is launching a direct Auckland-to-Adelaide service from the middle of December, taking on Air New Zealand with special launch fares of $99 one-way.

New Zealand shares rose as Air New Zealand and A2 Corp posted earnings growth, and Fonterra Shareholders' Fund gained a day after the dairy group's whey protein tested free of a bacterium that could cause botulism.

Air New Zealand says it is confident of coping with higher fuel prices if tension over a possible attack on Syria forces oil prices even higher.

New Zealand airlines say they won't offer passengers the option to book seats away from noisy children after a move by a Singapore airline.

Boeing has rolled out the first of its 787-9 planes destined for launch customer Air New Zealand.

Air New Zealand says it will delay the axing of 180 wide-body maintenance jobs if it can get an industrial agreement with a union covering some of the engineers.

A union leader says the announcement up to 180 heavy maintenance jobs at Air New Zealand will be axed is a "sad, sad day for aircraft engineering".

Air New Zealand will axe 180 engineering jobs when it closes a maintenance facility in Auckland, according to the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union.

Adrian Littlewood Auckland Airport says it has made a flying start to the new financial year after profit leaped 25 per cent to $177.9 million in the past 12 months.

Profits have soared 25 per cent at Auckland Airport, boosted by more passengers, more planes and an increase in the value of its property portfolio.

Qantas will start a new Auckland-Perth service this summer with travel agents saying new competition on the route could lead to a drop in fares.

Qantas will start a new Auckland-Perth service this summer and has launched a new transtasman schedule as its partnership with Emirates takes off.

Emirates has reached a decade of services to New Zealand as the airline celebrates five years of flying its superjumbo Airbus A380 around the world.