Air NZ has taken an unusual approach as it defends itself from claims an alliance with Virgin will mean an inevitable downgrade of its services.

An Air NZ flight attendant has been sacked after mistakenly sending a "highly derogatory and offensive" email about an Air NZ manager to the man himself.

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.

The first flight back from London after disruptions from volcanic ash has landed at Auckland airport.

The Govt is considering taking over Safe Air in Blenheim so the air force can finish having its five C-130 Hercules upgraded.

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

NZ passengers trying to fly to Europe are expected to be stranded here for at least two weeks.

Air traffic could return to half its normal level in Europe if clouds dissipate overnight, EU officials have said.

Air NZ has started flying passengers home from stopovers if they are unwilling or unable to wait for ash to clear over Europe.

It may have become apparent from my first half dozen blogs, that I am a fan of puns in my headlines.

More than 2000 passengers are stuck in NZ as airports remain closed until at least 7am tomorrow.

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

Enhanced engine technology has magnified the risk of fatal damage to aircraft flying into volcanic ash clouds, writes Mathew Dearnaley.

NZ pilots are to be randomly checked to ensure they are telling the truth about any past drug and alcohol convictions.