Air NZ boss Greg Foran on Covid fears: Give airline crew a break

Air NZ CE Greg Foran says crew on international flights are unjustly being singled out as targets of fear about Covid-19 coming into the country. In a message to staff he said the airline was working closely with the Ministry of Health to keep staff and the public safe. "But I know this doesn't make it any easier. Upon returning home, our crew are often unjustly the focus of people's fear of another spike of Covid-19, and I know this is hard for them and their families," Foran said. Air NZ is operating a skeleton service between Los Angeles and Auckland and the Government this week tightened up on rules covering air crew as alarm over border bungles grew. Foran said the reduction in flying hours had hurt crew financially and when they did fly "it's very different to what they are used to". There were changes to service and procedures, as well as being confined to hotel rooms during the layover, which can sometimes be days. When returning from the US, which with high levels of community transmission is considered a high-risk area, there are also self-isolation requirements upon their return to New Zealand, which placed extra strain on crew and their families, he said. "Please know that we stand with you and appreciate what you are doing to return people to their homes and get our economy moving again," Foran told staff.<br/>