International long-haul air travel continues to suffer because of the border closures and many airlines shift focus to domestic and short-haul flights. Air New Zealand is now in the course of delivery delays its Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners ordered in 2019.
"We are not expecting any meaningful recovery in long-haul demand in the 2022 financial year, notwithstanding the rollout of global vaccination programs and the potential for long-haul borders to begin reopening progressively in the second half of the financial year," the airline said.
Air New Zealand makes two-thirds of its earnings from international long-haul routes. The carrier was expected to take delivery of its first Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner in 2023. The arrival of the first 787-10 is expected now in 2024 instead of 2023.
