Air NZ pilot apologises after PM insult

Helen Clark

An Air New Zealand pilot has been stood down and ordered to undergo communications training after wrongly accusing Prime Minister Helen Clark of delaying his plane and being disloyal to the national airline.

The pilot on a flight from Wellington to Christchurch this morning told passengers, among them Cabinet ministers and National leader Don Brash, that the plane had been held up because Helen Clark was arranging alternative transport.

The pilot reportedly added the comment: "So much for supporting the national carrier".

Helen Clark did not make different arrangements and after arriving on board was invited to the cockpit.

The pilot then broadcast an apology to the passengers for causing offence.

The Prime Minister told Radio Live she was upset to be falsely accused of disrupting other people's travel plans.

Clark: "It was a distressing incident because the pilot made comments that were factually wrong."

The airline's acting chief executive -- in his first day in the job -- had called her to apologise and say the pilot was wrong and they "were extremely concerned" about what took place.

"The airline has assured me that plane was not delayed by any action of the prime minister," she said.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister confirmed tonight the pilot had sent her a letter in which he unreservedly apologised for the incident.

The pilot said his conduct had been unprofessional, he deeply regretted any embarrassment, and he was extremely disappointed with his "lapse of judgment".

The pilot added that he was committed to ensuring there was no repeat of this unfortunate incident.

Helen Clark said she had spoken to the pilot as she did not like being blamed for delaying other people's travel plans when that was not true.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard, who was on the plane, said four other people had boarded after Helen Clark.

A spokesman for Air New Zealand said the pilot had invited Helen Clark to the cockpit to apologise for embarrassing her with his incorrect wisecrack.

"We have taken the opportunity to take him off flying duties for the next couple of days and we are going to give him some communication style (training)."

Dr Brash told Radio Live that the pilot "must have got a flea in his ear" from a prime minister who "ought to be a little less arrogant".

He thought the pilot was expressing a view that many on the plane shared that the plane had been overly delayed.

"He had the impression we were waiting because the Prime Minister had changed her plans."

- NZPA