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

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.

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.

Air NZ says a big surge in its capacity this year should lead to lower airfares.

An Air NZ sponsorship deal has hit headlines in a tit-for-tat row between two of Britain's most influential newspapers over the integrity of their editorial content.

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

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.

A dramatic new image has emerged of the volcanic eruption which has disrupted air travel to and from Tonga.

Hundreds of travellers and holidaymakers have been left stranded after flights to and from Tonga were cancelled yesterday because of a huge volcanic ash cloud.

Air New Zealand will tomorrow resume flights to Singapore - its biggest long-haul move in a decade and one which marks the start of an aggressive growth phase.

Air New Zealand will tomorrow resume flights to Singapore - its biggest long-haul move in a decade and one which marks the start of an aggressive growth phase.

A former Air NZ flight attendant who resigned last month after an investigation into a booze-fuelled night will file a personal grievance against the company.

Former Dunedin mayor Peter Chin is recovering in hospital after being revived by an Air New Zealand crew shortly after take-off, it has been confirmed.

A passenger sitting in front of a man who suffered a suspected heart attack on a flight from Dunedin to Wellington this morning has praised the crew who resuscitated him.

Air New Zealand's flights to Buenos Aires will be more than a third filled with passengers from Australia, an analysis of the service says.

Eighty five years ago the carrier that was to become Hawaiian Airlines started commercial flights using a plane dubbed the "ugly duckling".

As part of its 75th anniversary celebration, Air NZ has a special exhibition opening at Te Papa this weekend. Video / Mark Mitchell

Losing a pet can be tough for both the animal and its owner, so the SPCA is once again pushing the importance of having pets micro-chipped.