Labour pledges 'automatic refunds' for cancelled flights on big airlines

Thursday 8 October 2026 · 5 outlets · 7 reports · updated Fri 9 Oct, 5:22am

In this story Labour Party, Chris Hipkins, Air New Zealand, Arena Williams

The party announced its aviation policy today, pledging automatic refunds for cancelled flights on larger carriers, all-in pricing and new Commerce Commission scrutiny of airline fares, costs and profits.

How they headlined it

16h

Thu 10:56am12:12pm1:11pmFri 5:22am

1. 1NewsThu 8 Oct, 10:56am

   Labour pledges 'automatic refunds' for cancelled flights on big airlines (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldThu 8 Oct, 11:00am

   Election 2026: Labour to force airlines to give ‘automatic refunds’ for cancelled and changed flights (opens in new tab)

   • Labour airline policy consumer nz says air new zealand dominance a problem but questions airport cost control plans (opens in new tab)Premium Thu 8 Oct, 1:11pm
3. The Post via RNZThu 8 Oct, 11:27am

   Labour says it will force airlines to show real prices up front (opens in new tab)

4. StuffThu 8 Oct, 11:42am

   Labour says it will make airlines show ‘real price’ up front (opens in new tab)

   • Labour promises automatic refunds for cancelled or changed flights (opens in new tab) Thu 8 Oct, 12:12pm
5. RNZFri 9 Oct, 5:22am

   How much difference would Labour's proposed airline policy really make? (opens in new tab)