Pilots challenge Jetstar move

A restructuring of services in New Zealand by Australian airline Qantas is being challenged by the New Zealand Airline Pilots Association.

Qantas announced in February that from June 10, its budget airline Jetstar would fly New Zealand domestic services and Qantas's New Zealand subsidiary Jetconnect would cease domestic flights.

The association said it would seek an injunction in the Employment Court next Tuesday to stop the closure of the Jetconnect base in Christchurch.

Pilots association executive director Rick Mirkin said this was another attempt by an airline to reduce pay and conditions for staff by employing them under a different subsidiary.

"They have breached the Employment Relations Act and breached the Jetconnect pilots' contract by failing to consult with us about these changes."

Mirkin could not say what impact the injunction, if granted, would have on the start of Jetstar's domestic services.