A partnership between Air New Zealand and Australian airline Virgin Blue that could result in up to 80 more flights across the Tasman each week is unlikely to deliver cheaper fares, aviation experts say.

A proposed Tasman alliance between rivals Air New Zealand and Virgin Blue has both companies promising lower fares.

Air NZ is bearing the brunt of financial losses caused by the the Iceland volcano disruption, an expert says.

The eruption is unlikely to have inflicted significant financial pain on Air NZ, analysts say.

For most of us, airline food conjures up far-from-appetising images of soggy omelettes, insipid veges and reheated meat.

A new agreement gives Air NZ access to parts of the US not previously available with its current airline partners.

Travellers have voted Auckland International Airport one of the world's best in the annual Skytrax World Airport awards.

Telecom shares sank to new a low on the NZ sharemarket today, while rises in Fletcher Building, Contact Energy and other leaders helped carry the market higher.

Air NZ and Progressive Enterprises took top honours in the Marketing Association's RSVP and Nexus Awards for response-driven marketing.