Competition for air travel between New Zealand and China is set to intensify with plans by Air China to fly daily direct flights between Auckland and Beijing this year.

Thousands of BNZ customers are set to lose the ability to earn airpoints on credit card transactions, though the bank is offering a new cash-back incentive.

Air New Zealand is dropping BNZ in place of Westpac as its official Airpoints partner.

Passengers who flew across the Pacific during the last 15 years are being urged to apply for funds from a price fixing class action against airlines, including Air NZ.

Three Hells Angels members were grounded yesterday after becoming aggressive with Air New Zealand staff over their gang patches.

Critics have attacked move they say will nearly double the value of international travel perks for former MPs.

Air New Zealand has been issued with a formal warning by the Commerce Commission and will stop pre-selecting travel insurance for passengers buying tickets online.

The results for the six months to December 2014 has been fairly lacklustre, with one notable exception, Brian Gaynor writes.

Auckland Airport is resisting pressure from a community group to soundproof homes under new flight paths north of Manukau Harbour.

Air New Zealand is promising more discounted fares as it adds hundreds of thousands of extra seats to its network where travel agents say price competition is already fierce.

A surging Air New Zealand stands to benefit from lower fuel prices next year by up to $249 million but must now fend off growing competition from other airlines also enjoying lower oil prices.

Lower oil prices mean the less efficient carriers with older aircraft than Air New Zealand are back in the game, writes Grant Bradley.

Air New Zealand has confirmed it will operate its next $29 Night Rider service between Palmerston North and Auckland.

New Zealand shares rose yesterday, heading back towards a record high after a two-day slide.

''Just out of the blue there was this really loud bang and a flash of light on the right side of the plane."

From February 20 the airline will run Night Rider services between Auckland, Nelson and Christchurch for a month.

Air New Zealand is expected to be one of the standout performers when reporting season starts next month.

Air New Zealand is being investigated over possible misleading or deceptive conduct in the way it sells insurance with air fares.

Despite the plummeting cost of crude oil, business commentators say it is unlikely airline passengers will be offered cheaper tickets.

Further volcanic eruptions have disrupted more flights to and from Tonga this evening.