Extra fees for kids flying alone

Air New Zealand has doubled its fee for children travelling alone, known as unaccompanied minors.

The extra fee for children between the ages of 5 years and 16 years is now $30, up from $15, for a domestic flight. International unaccompanied minors will cost an extra $80 on top of their ticket price, up from $40.

The increases came into effect at the end of March. Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty said this was the first time the price had increased in five years and reflected the cost of its airbands and the staffing resources needed to take care of unaccompanied children.

‘‘Last December, we also set up a dedicated unaccompanied minors’ squad to look after the increased number of young travellers to and from Auckland over the summer,’’ Geraghty said.

‘‘After reviewing this squad and how well it was received throughout the summer, we are in the process of rolling this out to many of our other ports.’’

Unaccompanied minors will also be required to book the more expensive seat plus bag tickets.

Geraghty said many of the unaccompanied minors were unable to lift their bags safely into the overhead lockers, which then became a health and safety risk for other passengers and crew.

Unaccompanied minors on trans-Tasman and Pacific Island services will also need to book premium seats, which include a meal and inflight entertainment.

In 2019, 75,000 children flew unaccompanied with the airline.

Air New Zealand introduced wristbands with RFID chips in 2015 for children flying unaccompanied.

Air New Zealand is the only airline to carry unaccompanied minors. Jetstar restricts unaccompanied young people to 12 or over, according to its website.

Air NZ has doubled the fee for unaccompanied minors. Inset: The fee also covers the cost of the airline’s airbands, which track children as they travel.