Air NZ asks staff to volunteer in their own time at airports to help with shortages

Air New Zealand is seeking workers to volunteer in their own time to help out at its short-staffed airport teams during the busy school holiday period. A recent message sent to Air New Zealand staff in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch said, with a huge amount of flights over the next two weeks, the airline was looking at how it could ease some strain on its airports teams. “Like our flights, your wonderful skills are in demand,” the message said. “We’re looking for some wonderful willing Air New Zealand volunteers who can help us to spread some magic with our customers during the school holiday period (now through to 25 July) at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch airports. This will need to be in your own time or with manager’s approval and we hope you can come help out.” Volunteers would work to support airport teams with queue management, directing customers, “surprise and delight”, and help reduce the stress of travel for our customers, it said. Last week the airline said it was gearing up for its busiest July school holiday period since the Covid-19 pandemic started, with more than 672,000 customers booked to travel domestically and overseas. It warned customers to expect disruptions due to its network operating at or near capacity, a high level of staff sickness, and bad winter weather. Air New Zealand group general manager airports Chloe Surridge said Air New Zealand was experiencing higher than usual staff sickness due to seasonal illnesses and Covid-19, and it was a challenging time for everyone.<br/>