The first commercial flight planned from New Zealand to Antarctica since the Mt Erebus crash in 1979 has been cancelled because of a lack of interest.

Australian-based Antarctica Sightseeing Flights announced in early September that it would be flying from Auckland to Antarctica next February, the first commercial flight from New Zealand to Antarctica since a DC10 crashed on Nov. 28, 1979, killing 257 people.

But the company's managing director, Phil Asker, says less than 100 people booked on the service.

"We know from our research that there is strong Kiwi interest in Antarctica sightseeing flights, but with only one third of the seats sold so far, it would be uneconomical for us to proceed," he said.

The company will provide full refunds to passengers who have already booked.

Antarctica Sightseeing Flights have been flying since 1994 and Mr Asker said five flights scheduled from Australia have been selling well.

The 1979 Erebus crash is New Zealand's worst aviation disaster.

Air New Zealand cut flights to the continent immediately and Qantas followed suit in 1980.

Two flights taking family members of those killed on Flight 901 have visited the frozen land mass since 2009, including 104 on an RNZAF flight last year, and a third and final flight is planned in February 2013.