Queenstown Airport has put on two unscheduled flights this afternoon to help 350 stranded passengers get to Christchurch.
Twenty-two Otago Air New Zealand flights have been cancelled today following the grounding of ATR aircraft.
The majority of the airline's ATR services, operated by Mount Cook Airline, were grounded after hairline cracks were found in the area around windows of the cockpit in one aircraft during routine maintenance in Christchurch.
In Dunedin, six departures and five arrivals have been cancelled, while in Queenstown five departures and six arrivals have been cancelled.
Queenstown Airport duty manager Naoto Unno said five departures and six arrivals had been cancelled today.
The 350 passengers affected by the cancellation of outgoing flights would be transferred to Christchurch on two A320 flights this afternoon.
Mount Cook general manager Sarah Williamson said the airline was today operating at approximately two-thirds of its normal seat capacity, with two ATR aircraft in service and additional flights from Air New Zealand jets.
With the additional aircraft expected to return to the fleet tomorrow Mount Cook would have five of its 68-seat aircraft flying. A further two aircraft were expected to be back in service by Thursday.
One aircraft remains in the hanger for pre-planned maintenance and at this stage three aircraft require closer examination.
The ATR-500 aircraft have been in service with Mount Cook since 1999 and have an average age of 11 years. The 68-seat aircraft operates to 10 destinations around New Zealand.
Ms Williamson apologised to customers affected by today's cancellations.
"We appreciate the significant inconvenience this has caused for our customers and would like to assure that them we are working as quickly and thoroughly as we can to get our aircraft back flying,'' she said.
"However the safety of our customers, our staff and our aircraft is paramount and non-negotiable for Mount Cook and Air New Zealand.''
Mount Cook was contacting customers whose flights were cancelled today and alternative arrangements would be made for them, including free ticket changes.
Customers travelling with Mount Cook were advised to check flight arrivals and departures on Air New Zealand's website: www.airnewzealand.co.nz
