Air New Zealand is being accused of driving away its most loyal customers with a recent overhaul of its Airpoints rewards system.

Auckland International Airport has posted a 5.5 per cent increase in first-half profit on passenger growth and said full-year earnings would be "at the higher end" of its guidance.

Chinese flight attendants filled new Auckland-based positions at Air New Zealand barely a month before the national carrier announced big lay-offs of Kiwi staff.

Air New Zealand says 441 job losses announced yesterday may not be the limit of staff cuts needed to boost profitability.

Air New Zealand shares have fallen 4pc this morning as chief executive Rob Fyfe poured cold water on speculation he could take the top job at Telecom.