Coronavirus: Air NZ can't offer cheapest fares while physical distancing rules apply, CEO says

Air NZ can operate safely without the need for physical distancing on aircraft provided staff wear personal protective equipment and customers wear masks, CE Greg Foran says. Until physical distancing rules were relaxed the airline was not able to operate commercially or offer its cheapest lead in fares, Foran said. Foran said under alert level 2 it could sell just under 50% of seats on a turboprop aircraft and just 65% on an A320. “On that basis, to ensure we cover our operating costs, we won’t be able to offer our lowest lead in fares until social distancing measures are removed.” Under alert level 2 New Zealanders can travel, but they must do it in a safe way and keep a record of their journey. Physical distancing applies and people should not travel if they have been requested to self-isolate/quarantine, have symptoms of Covid-19, or are awaiting Covid-19 test results. Foran’s comments come at the same time competitor Jetstar has suspended flights in New Zealand for at least 11 more days. Physical distancing on flights made the low cost carrier’s operation in New Zealand “unviable”, it said in a travel alert. Foran said it was “really tough” for airlines to operate with physical distancing and wanted the rules done away with. “We believe that if masks are required on board for all customers, if staff use PPE and if we all follow good hand hygiene, we can operate safely without physical distancing.” With restrictions in place, some services were immediately at capacity, he said. The airline was working to add capacity through upgauging aircraft or adding services.<br/>