Air New Zealand's chief executive says more planes are on the way and with them the hope of cheaper airfares.

The national carrier is facing heavy criticism over the cost of its flights, with some passenger saying prices are two- to three-times what they were pre-pandemic.

Chief executive Greg Foran says they are expecting half a dozen planes to arrive over the next seven months.

With more planes, prices will start to moderate, he says.

"We are still doing everything that we can to bring capacity back as quickly as we can in also ensuring that our opening price points are there and available for customers."

Domestic travel ticket costs are up by 20 per cent pre-Covid while international flight tickets costs are up by 50 per cent from pre-Covid days, says Foran.

RNZ has reported travellers paying double or triple for airline tickets compared to pre-pandemic days.

A ticket to India, which had cost less than $2000 is now priced over $4000, while a flight to UK that previously cost about $2900 now cost anywhere between $5000 to $13000.

RNZ's Checkpoint also reported domestic travel ticket rates of $700 for a return ticket from Auckland to Wellington, for this week.

Foran says the airlines' domestic business is running at 97 per cent compared to pre-Covid days.

Strong demand is one of the key factors for the increase in ticket cost, Foran says, and he urges travellers to book in advance.

Foran says the airline is working quickly to get all planes - new and those grounded during the Covid-19 pandemic - back up and running.

"It's not just getting the planes. It's also making sure that you've got the pilots to fly them. You've got the crew. And you've got the engineers to maintain them.

"We've bought back 2200 staff since the beginning of the year. They need to be trained and you know, re-calibrated and qualified.

"So that's happening at world record pace."

-RNZ.