Air NZ profits at what cost?

This week, a local Air NZ shareholder made it clear he agreed with the Air NZ strategy to optimise profits at the expense of the regions.

As very frequent fliers my husband and I have more than contributed to the Air NZ coffers (150,000 km in trips last year – yes you can thank us for you increased share price) and as a taxpayer I consider I have a stake in the airline and I am uneasy with the profit at all costs mentality.

Having recently had to fly into a regional airport to be at the bedside of my dying mother, I can only imagine the distress and heartache resulting from the inability to be somewhere quickly or affordably.

Particularly disappointing is the story in the Sunday Star Times of the young cancer sufferer who paid $1600 for a last minute ticket on a flight that wasn’t full to receive treatment in Australia.

On another page the story of a grandmother who has missed a family occasion due to a cancelled regional flight.

Some Air NZ shareholders might be comfortable that their increased dividend or share price comes from the pockets of those with an urgent need to be somewhere but I’m not.

Di Taylor

Redcliffs