Air NZ brings back cabin crew
Air New Zealand will recall all of its A320 cabin crew who are currently on furlough, as the airline begins preparations for quarantine-free travel to Australia and Rarotonga early next year.
It says the 175 cabin crew members have been on furlough since June, having chosen to stay connected to the airline rather than take redundancy.
Air New Zealand general manager of cabin crew Leeanne Langridge said it was exciting to be able to offer these cabin crew a position back with the airline.
“We know these crew are really keen to get back on board, so it’s been heartwarming to make these phone calls before Christmas. Their uniforms are all ready to be collected and
I’m sure many of them can’t wait to wear the koru again.”
It is hoped two-way quarantinefree travel bubbles can be established with Australia and Rarotonga by the end of March. Although the Government has not fixed a firm date for the establishment of a bubble, airlines have started loading much more capacity into their booking systems from March 28.
The recall of crew is some good news at the end of a grim year for Air New Zealand staff. More than 4000, or a third of the workforce, have been made redundant or left the airline this year as travel collapsed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Langridge said the crew being recalled had missed being part of customers’ journey.
“We’ve had incredible feedback from businesses all over the country about our cabin crew who have been volunteering and working in other industries while they have been on furlough.”
They would now undergo comprehensive refresher training before flying again.
Virgin Australia, which pulled out of this market, is planning for 70 flights a week between New Zealand and Australia.
Air New Zealand and Qantas have also added dozens more flights from the end of March.
It’s been heartwarming to make these phone calls before Christmas. Leeanne Langridge, Air New Zealand general manager of cabin crew