Qantas and Cathay Pacific have both complained about their government-owned or backed rivals, including 80% government-controlled Air New Zealand.

The airlines are taking two vastly different approaches to dealing with this challenge, and Qantas’ call for government help could have big repercussions for Air New Zealand.

Cathay Pacific, which today announced massive capacity reductions and a scheme asking staff to take some unpaid leave, raised the issue of aviation protectionism at the announcement.