KEY POINTS:
Several flights in and out of Tauranga airport were cancelled today because of a 12-hour pilots' strike - affecting about 180 passengers.
The strike over pay by Air Nelson pilots, which began at midnight, forced the cancellation of 34 flights nationwide and affected about 900 passengers.
Tracey Palmer - a spokeswoman for Air New Zealand, which owns Air Nelson - said passengers had been contacted wherever possible about schedule changes and put on other flights.
The Air Nelson pilots taking industrial action were due to resume work again at midday today.
Information available on the Air New Zealand website revealed flights due to depart Tauranga for Auckland and Christchurch this morning were cancelled.
A plane due to arrive this morning from Wellington and another flight due to arrive this afternoon from Christchurch have also been cancelled.
The New Zealand Airline Pilots Association has been negotiating a new collective employment contract with the airline since July last year, but talks have reached an impasse.
They are seeking pay increases of 4.5 per cent, 3.5 per cent, and 3.5 per cent over the next three years and are asking for a 4.30pm finish on the Friday before their weekend off.
NZALPA president Mark Rammell said pilots at Air Nelson started on a salary of $23,400 and were currently entitled to only one weekend off every 28 days.
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES, NZPA
