Air New Zealand says the operator of a drone put its customers and staff at risk and should have the courage to come forward.
The Civil Aviation Authority says a "sizeable" red drone that on Friday passed close to an Air NZ A320 plane with 166 passengers on board as it climbed out of Christchurch en route to Auckland is being recorded as a near miss.
Air NZ says no evasive action was taken by the pilot of flight NZ542 but customers and staff were put at risk.
"What our pilot believed to be a drone was being operated in and around the flight path, but was fortunately spotted by our pilots who ensured the aircraft avoided it," said Captain David Morgan, Air New Zealand's chief flight operations and safety officer.
"This was reckless behaviour by the drone operator who has so far not had the courage to come forward and address their behaviour with authorities."
Director of Civil Aviation Graeme Harris said the remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) passed close to the plane near Kaiapoi at an altitude of about 6000 feet.
CAA launched a full investigation shortly after the pilot reported the sighting and Transport Minister Simon Bridges was briefed on Friday night.
A new civil aviation rule for drones came into effect on August 1. Under the rule, anyone who wants to fly a drone beyond what is allowed for traditional model aircraft needs to apply for certification from the CAA.
"We have to assume that this RPAS pilot was unaware of the rules regarding flying unmanned aircraft," Mr Harris said.
"While RPAS technology is advancing quickly and offers some very significant benefits to a range of industries, it can pose a threat to conventional aviation activities and this must be carefully managed," he said.
