Checks on Air New Zealand Dreamliners expected to be completed tonight after thousands of travellers affected

It's not clear when the backlog of Air New Zealand passengers will be cleared after widespread disruptions because of safety checks.

Around 6500 Air NZ passengers have, and will, have their flights disrupted into next week. 

The checks are expected to be completed tonight as engineers check for cracks near the front of the engine compressors on the airline's Dreamliners.

Air New Zealand says those cracks could be caused by vibrations from turbulent air.