The decision taken by Pacific Blue to stop flying the loss making domestic planes in New Zealand disappointed the airports there and the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) that fears losing around 200 jobs.

Pacific Blue will exercise its discretion from October 18 and in place of the domestic flights, five new transtasman would be added to the air traffic. Also, it claimed at creating 100 new jobs, which the EMPU declined to believe.

Andrew Little, EPMU National Secretary said, "Pacific Blue was dependent on a number of other service providers and suppliers who would have to scale back their operations because of the loss of domestic work". He further added that the airline's promise to add more jobs is just a cushion to cut the domestic flights.

Around 450 New Zealanders work at crew bases in Christchurch and Auckland and its head office in Christchurch. Those who could face the brunt of reduction in services include 90 ground staff members of EMPU that work in Auckland and Wellington; 30 or 40 ground staff in Christchurch and a fraction of cabin crew.

Mr. Little further added that the union will negotiate with the other members in the aviation industry to gain fresh opportunities.

Jetstar and Air New Zealand would relieve the situation by adding low-cost carriers, as expressed by both the Companies. The airline possessed by Qantas also made similar promises and would add two extra A320 aircraft to its eight powerful NZ fleet.