airline

Over 6000 domestic passengers are expected to be affected by delays due to today’s strike by Qantas' ground staff over pay and conditions.

Qantas said 27 flights had been delayed—by 15 minutes on average—and 28 flights had been cancelled. Qantas spokesman Luke Enright said flights were expected to return to normal by lunchtime.

“Things are going better than expected,” said Enright. “About 90 per cent of our flights (under the new schedule) are departing on time, which is great.”

Aircraft engineers will turn to wrong-handed tactics in their latest volley in the war with Qantas (ASX:QAN). Veteran union members Wesley Bell and Vinko Vulin pledged they will maintain Qantas' planes using only their left hand for screwdrivers and spanners.

New Zealand based airline group Air New Zealand (AIZ), which offers public and cargo transportation in the domestic and international arena (including Australia, Asia, North America and Europe) has managed to beat Qantas and V Australia to become the best airline of the Australia-Pacific route. The New Zealand based airliner took the fifth place in the annual Skytrax awards this year where around 18 million people voted to select the best performers of the industry.