New Zealanders are being urged to know their rights when it comes to air travel

Air New Zealand's decision to scale back its flight schedule over the next six months is expected to affect about 100-thousand people.

Consumer NZ Chief Executive Jon Duffy says consumers have fewer rights if a flight cancellation is outside an airline's control, due to weather conditions or Government restrictions.

But he says if the cancellation is the airline's fault -- due to a plane malfunction or staffing issues -- there's a lot consumers can claim.

Duffy says if you need to stay somewhere overnight, you can be reimbursed for expenses.