More than 100 pilots will refuse to fly next week if negotiations with Air New Zealand about contract discrepancies are unsuccessful.
The pilots from Eagle Airways, a subsidiary of the national carrier, are in negotiations today following months of dispute about superannuation rates.
The Air Line Pilots' Association (NZALPA) has given Air NZ notice that Eagle Airways pilots will strike between midnight and 9.15am over four days from next Friday if negotiations are unsuccessful.
It's expected the strikes will affect at least 18 flights a day, although Air NZ would not comment on any estimated impact.
NZALPA president Glen Kenny said Eagle Airways pilots were fighting for a superannuation increase from 4 per cent to 7.5 per cent to match other Air NZ subsidiaries Air Nelson and Mount Cook.
"We can't quite see why they shouldn't be the same," Mr Kenny said.
Negotiations have gone on for at least three months.
A spokeswoman for Air NZ said the NZALPA had filed its strike notice in preparation for industrial action next week.
"However, we are still in negotiations ... and we remain hopeful of a settlement," she said.
Mr Kenny said the union also expected results from today's mediation.
"Negotiations are already underway. We will go as late into the night as it takes to resolve this," he said.
Eagle Airways operates a fleet of 18 Beech 1900D airliners. Each has the capacity for 19 passengers.
The aircraft are the smallest in the Air NZ Group.
The Eagle Air website says it "connects people to more destinations across New Zealand more often than anyone else".
- Kieran Campbell of APNZ
