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The Great Restart: Air New Zealand ‘warms up engines’ as restrictions ease

written by Adam Thorn | May 14, 2020

Air New Zealand declared on Wednesday night it was ‘warming up’ its engines as it prepared to resume recreational flights today.

The airline’s Twitter account said, “See you soon New Zealand” as the business issued guidance for passengers flying under lowered ‘Alert Level 2’ restrictions, which are now in effect.

Jacinda Ardern announced earlier this week that, from Thursday, Kiwis could travel around the country and meet friends and family for the first time in weeks. It marks an extraordinarily quick turnaround in the country’s battle against COVID-19, with Australia not set to follow until July.

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However, the airline has warned passengers that the flying experience will be significantly different to before the pandemic began.

To encourage social distancing, every second self-service kiosk will be closed, floor markings will be in operation in queues and aircraft will fly at about 20 per cent capacity with the middle seat kept free.

Air New Zealand’s in-flight magazine, Kia Ora, won’t be available, while food and beverage and lounge access will remain suspended until 25 May.

The business’ general manager of customer experience, Nikki Goodman, said, “It would be appreciated if customers could exercise a bit of patience as everyone gets used to this new way of travelling.

“We’d also advise allowing a little more time to navigate through the airport process and be mindful of social distancing requirements. Customers should not travel if they are unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms – flights can be changed free of charge if needed.”

Air New Zealand has previously announced it will operate 32 routes during Alert Level 2, with the potential to add more depending on demand. The full list is below.

ALERT LEVEL TWO ANZ PROPOSED NETWORK

Auckland to/from

  • Blenheim
  • Dunedin
  • Rotorua
  • Christchurch
  • Gisborne
  • Kerikeri
  • Napier
  • Nelson
  • New Plymouth
  • Palmerston North
  • Tauranga
  • Wellington
  • Whangarei
  • Queenstown

Christchurch to/from

  • Hamilton
  • Hokitika
  • Tauranga
  • Dunedin
  • Invercargill
  • Nelson
  • Palmerston North
  • Wellington
  • Queenstown

Wellington to/from

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Comments (16)

  • Janett

    says:

    Go Kiwi,who ever said kiwis cant fly take another look. Proud to be a kiwi. Sending you all the Eastcoast wave

  • Ronald Spencer

    says:

    Air New Zealand should start flying domestic in Australia

    • RRay Roach

      says:

      Better you fly as kiwis cant drive

    • Jim

      says:

      They tried when they bought Ansett.

  • gary

    says:

    20% capacity ? I think you mean 70% capacity ?

    What on earth is leaving a middle seat empty going to do ?

  • If that 20 per cent of normal capacity figure is correct, then Air NZ’s domestic operation will need to be heavily subsidised by the NZ government. That would amount to a dozen or so pax in an ATR, perhaps three dozen in an A320. Would barely cover the cost of the fuel…

  • If that 20 per cent of normal capacity figure is correct, that would amount to a dozen or so pax in an ATR, perhaps three dozen in an A320. Would barely cover the cost of the fuel. Presumably the NZ govt will be heavily subsidising these flights…

  • TonyE

    says:

    Is this Australian Aviation or NZ Aviation?
    You seem to be fascinated with all things NZ.
    Who came up wit Air NZ being best in the world, when they buried a DC8 and a DC 10 killing all on board. Their Sydney International lounge is filthy and their cabin service pedestrian.

    • Proud Kiwi

      says:

      You must be an Australian of limited intelligence to bring up Erebus!! Are you an angry person with a grudge ……..?
      I can recall an airline that had several near mid air near disasters not too many years ago.!
      Cheer up you will be out of lock down in a few more weeks and you can get some fresh air to clear your head!

    • Proud Kiwi

      says:

      Sounds like sour grapes to me.
      After reading Qantas in flight incidents on net I will take my chances with Air NZ.

  • Ronald Spencer

    says:

    Come to Australia we need a new domestic airline and there will be a few unwanted planes here for you to purchase cheaply

    • Dave

      says:

      Why trash an existing Airlines infrastructure and put over ten thousand people out of work just because its previous management failed to control costs? Have a heart and think more reasonably before you write. A new airline would take years to provide a viable competition to Qantas condemning the public to much higher fares and impacting regional Australia in particlar.

  • Michael

    says:

    middle seat empty does nothing ? Who thought up this silly idea ?

  • Marum

    says:

    Being very conservative by nature, I hope no one ends up with egg on their face by acting prematurely.
    You know the saying about; “Old bold pilots”? Well, that also may apply to politicians.

    Regards….Marum.

  • John Day

    says:

    Could Air New Zealand give us a brief example of seat numbers to be used. Their description of how they intent to use the aircraft does not seem to be very explicit. John.

  • Paul Wallace

    says:

    Tonye your a blonker.
    Qantas has come very close to having a major accident on more than one occasion
    Thank god this has never happened.
    Air New Zealand is a very well run airline.

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