Malaysia Airlines commits to NZ

Kiwis can still fly Malaysia Airlines – for now. Malaysia Airlines has confirmed it is running all flights to and from New Zealand and Australia on schedule, as questions are raised about the airline’s ability to survive a second tragedy after the downing of MH17 above the Ukraine. In a media release this week, the airline said the Malaysian Government, the majority shareholder, was committed to ensuring the airline’s long-term future. ‘‘We are determined to rebuild trust in Malaysia Airlines . . . the Australasian region is our main market outside of Malaysia,’’ regional senior vice-president Lee Poh Kait said. An $860 million investment had seen capacity boosted by a third in February, with 81 flights a week direct to Malaysia. Time magazine reported this week the airline’s future is ‘‘highly uncertain,’’ with experts predicting it won’t survive a year.