Nice start for Fyfe, then exits were pointed out

It all began nicely enough but even the presence of charming flight attendants in their new Zambesi-designed uniforms could not lift the gloom that soon fell over Air New Zealand's annual meeting yesterday.

A flight attendant began the show in airline style, showing the crowd where exits and toilets could be found in the Sky City Convention Centre.

And so the lights dimmed, music and a video played, and the directors, with new chief executive Rob Fyfe, walked up the aisle to take their seats on the stage.

What they knew, but the gathered shareholders and reporters did not, was that a dramatic plan likely to mean 600 job losses was about to be revealed.

This news - and the continued poor performance of the Air NZ share price - dominated shareholder questions. Chairman John Palmer accepted the share price was "nothing to be proud of", but reminded shareholders that Air NZ was profitable while the world's airlines had lost US$36 billion ($51.9 million) in the past four years.

And despite their helpful demeanour and smart new uniforms, the cabin crew did not escape criticism; one shareholder said some in Pacific Class flights "were not pulling their weight". Elderly people had been "too scared to ask for water" they needed when taking medication.

Fyfe said a new training programme aimed to improve consistency of service.

Director and former trade union stalwart Ken Douglas said some saw the airline's performance as a glass half full, others saw it as half empty.

And judging by the mood at the meeting, the water in that glass - even if served up by a flight attendant in a smart new uniform - is quickly receding.