Christchurch shooting: Air New Zealand runs out of seats to Christchurch

Air New Zealand is asking people to reconsider travel plans into Christchurch because of demand for flights.

The airline is experiencing a big surge in demand for services to and from Christchurch following the mosque attacks last week with many people wanting to travel to the city on Friday morning ahead of planned burials in the afternoon.

The airline is at full capacity on Friday morning out of Auckland and has asked people who can be flexible to change flights to make way for mourners. It said any change fees and fare difference would be waived. 

Passengers can change flights directly online via the Manage My Booking section of the web site or contact the airline. 

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Many would-be visitors to Christchurch have already cancelled hotel bookings, but higher numbers have arrived to support the Muslim community following last week's mosque shootings.

The manager of the Rendezvous Hotel, Faisel Sayed said the amount of business was up more than 10 per cent above what was normally the busiest time of the year.

Sayed said he was at the Linwood mosque where one of the worshippers fought back, causing the gunman to flee, which probably saved his life.

Sayed, 30, was due to attend a funeral but stopped to talk to Stuff about providing some free rooms to families who would be arriving this weekend to attend funerals.

"It's been very sad. There have been a lot of last minute booking as well as cancellations. There will be more people arriving over the next two days which I expect will be the busiest time when the burials take place," Sayed said. 

In addition to family members there has been a small invasion of diplomats, government departments and representatives, and security personnel 

Bruce Garrett, manager of the George and Hotel Montreal, said the cancellations had mainly been by corporate and leisure travellers or people coming for cancelled events such as last weekend's rugby match.

"However we had a number of new bookings coming in which meant there was a net gain in the amount of business.

"It's normally fairly busy during this month with about 90 per cent occupancy. The challenge is trying to fit in all the inquiries.

"We haven't had any cancellations further out so it's hard to tell the long term effect.

"We're coping with peoples' immediate needs. Often people from the Middle East may ask for prayer mats or the direction of Mecca, and where to get halal food," Garrett said.

Christchurch Airport was experiencing an influx of families.

"It's heart warming to see the support and presence of the Muslim community when they're welcomed. It's amazing," a spokeswoman said.

Airline schedules remained unchanged. No international airlines were reporting changes in forward booking patterns at this stage she said.

David Libeau, travel director at Hello World, said inquiries had slowed down although he expected they would bounce back

"I would expect that. It's a massive event. We're monitoring news media and we've been pretty sensitive about advertising and making sure we're not featuring around editorial on the tragedy.

"If one thing comes out of it I hope people will be kinder to each other and people do seem to have come together in a good way.

"I'm in Christchurch today and I went to the Botanical Gardens to see the flowers that have been left there. 

"I'd seen it on television but it's a very moving experience when you actually go there," Libeau said.

House of Travel director, Brent Thomas, said his company had also been busier arranging flights and accommodation for people going to Christchurch this week.

"Business travel changed on Monday. A number of businesspeople had deferred trips out of respect and because it wasn't appropriate under the circumstances.

"It's good to see the airlines come to the party. Longer term we just don't know. Some people are affected by events like this much later than others.

"I was in Christchurch yesterday and feelings were pretty raw".