Qantas Airways CEO Vanessa Hudson is increasing pressure on struggling Air New Zealand by adding nearly 1 million seats on trans‑Tasman routes, aiming to capture market share amid rising fuel costs.

Both carriers are battling the cost surge triggered by the Iran war, which has forced flight cuts and higher fares. While Air New Zealand grapples with thin margins, Qantas—benefiting from record profits—leverages its robust capacity to flood New Zealand skies, targeting the country’s largest source of international visitors: Australia.

The strategy reflects a broader trend of airlines reallocating resources to capitalize on high‑yield routes, even as the global aviation sector faces volatile fuel prices. Qantas’s move signals a decisive shift in the competitive landscape of the South Pacific, potentially reshaping passenger choices and pricing dynamics on the region’s key air corridors.