The flying instructor badly injured in Monday's plane crash near Palmerston North has shown promising signs of recovery.

The flying instructor who survived an air crash has had surgery for bleeding to his brain but doctors hope to bring him out of a coma today.

Tranport Minister Steven Joyce has told the Civil Aviation Authority to shape up after a critical report from the Auditor-General.

The CAA has asked airlines to investigate a loophole in airport security, after major flaws were revealed yesterday.

Air NZ says reports one of its planes was on a collision course with another aircraft are nothing more than "sensationalist" media coverage.

An investigation has begun into why a Virgin Australia Boeing 777 and an Air New Zealand 767 were on a collision course in Fiji air space last month.

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.

Emergency services were scrambled after an Air New Zealand flight from Sydney carrying 99 passengers and eight crew was diverted to land at Auckland late last night.