Travel Bubbles: Air New Zealand Recalls Airbus A320 Cabin Crew Licensed for Oz and Raro Flights

Air New Zealand will remove the entire cabin crew of the A320 currently on license as the airline begins preparations to travel without quarantine to Australia and Rarotonga early next year.

It says the 175 cabin crew members have been on leave since June, having chosen to remain connected to the airline rather than being fired.

Air New Zealand Cabin Crew Managing Director Leeanne Langridge said it was exciting to be able to offer these cabin crew a return position with the airline.

“We know this crew is really eager to get back on board, so it has been comforting to make these phone calls before Christmas. Their uniforms are ready for pickup and I’m sure many of them can’t wait to wear the koru. again.”

Two-way unquarantine travel bubbles are expected to be established with Australia and Rarotonga by the end of March. Although the government has not set a firm date for the establishment of a bubble, airlines have begun loading much more capacity into their reservation systems as of March 28.

The crew retirement is good news at the end of a dismal year for Air New Zealand staff. More than 4,000, or a third of the workforce, have been laid off or left the airline this year due to travel collapsing due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Langridge said the crew remembered that the rep had missed being part of our clients’ journey.

“We have received incredible feedback from companies across the country about our cabin crew who have volunteered and worked in other industries while on leave.”

They would now undergo comprehensive upgrade training before flying again.

Virgin Australia, which has withdrawn from this market, plans to make 70 weekly flights between New Zealand and Australia. Air New Zealand and Qantas have also added dozens more flights since the end of March.

A Virgin Australia spokesperson said the New Zealand government’s early decision to establish quarantine-free travel with Australia was “very well received” and provided more confidence to travelers and those looking to do business in Tasmania.