Air NZ's four apologies to Clark

An Air New Zealand pilot has been stood down from flying for two days and he and the airline have apologised to Prime Minister Helen Clark four times after she took issue with comments he made to a planeload of passengers.

The pilot announced over the plane's intercom that the flight was delayed because Helen Clark had decided to take a private jet and her luggage had to be removed.

"So much for supporting the national airline, eh?" he said.

The Prime Minister, who did take the Air New Zealand flight, was so stunned when she learned about the pilot's "distressing" remarks that she entered the cockpit to complain.

Air New Zealand has apologised to Helen Clark four times for yesterday morning's incident, which happened at the beginning of a flight from Wellington to Christchurch.

The pilot apologised twice on the plane and also in writing, and acting chief executive Rob McDonald phoned Helen Clark to apologise.

The pilot will spend his suspension doing "communication training".

The plane had actually been delayed because of fog at Auckland Airport earlier yesterday morning.

Helen Clark had tried to charter a private plane because of the delay with the Air New Zealand flight, but none had been available.

She was about to board the Air New Zealand flight with her luggage when the pilot made the announcement.

On boarding she was clapped by a handful of passengers, although many appeared not to have registered what the pilot had said. Several people boarded after her.

The Prime Minister was informed of the pilot's comments by Cabinet ministers Trevor Mallard and Annette King, who were already on the plane, and said she was stunned.

"I spoke to the steward and stewardess and said I had heard these comments, that I took great exception to them and I would like them to communicate that to the pilot.

"The stewardess came back to me and asked if I would like to speak to the pilot and I said 'Yes, I will' because I'm a very direct person. So I went there and said I felt the comments were very unfortunate."

Towards the end of the flight, the pilot apologised over the intercom for getting his "facts wrong".

National Party leader Don Brash was also on the plane and said Helen Clark's actions were "arrogant"and "excessively sensitive".

Dr Brash's entourage had been sitting on the opposite side of the Koru Lounge from Helen Clark's team during the hour-long wait and his presence would have heightened the Prime Minister's annoyance.

"I think he [the pilot] was expressing a view felt by many of the people on the plane who had been waiting and waiting and waiting," said Dr Brash. "And he had the impression we were waiting because the Prime Minister changed her plans.

"I felt sorry for him because he obviously got a flea in the ear from the Prime Minister."

Helen Clark defended her reaction.

"This is an issue of fairness. The whole plane was told that I as Prime Minister was responsible for the delay. That just wasn't true and I'm entitled to fair treatment like any other passenger."

Captain Dave Morgan, Air New Zealand chief pilot and general manager of operations, said the pilot had incorrect information and had "in jest" made comments that he thought reflected the reason for the delay.

The comments had been unfortunate and regrettable and the pilot had apologised unreservedly in person and then by letter to Helen Clark's office.

Air New Zealand later confirmed that the pilot, whom it would not name, would be grounded for the two-day communications and protocol training.

Mr Morgan said no further disciplinary action would be taken. There were no laws in New Zealand preventing pilots from inviting passengers into the cockpit before departure.

Asked if people were getting overly sensitive, Mr Morgan said everyone was sensitive during an election campaign.

"Be that as it may, the PA [public address system] is not to be used for anything other than informing the passengers of what is occurring in regard to the operation of that flight."

Helen Clark said she did not regret going into the cockpit.

"I was asked whether I would speak to the pilot and I said I would. I expressed my concern directly."

The pilot's comment about failing to support the national carrier were "distressing".

"Our Government put many hundreds of millions of dollars into Air New Zealand so the koru could continue to fly. Ever since that time I've had wonderful comments from many pilots and other staff on Air New Zealand to say they are so pleased that the Government acted as it did."

Asked if she thought disciplinary action was necessary, Helen Clark said: "I have left it there. I accepted the pilot's apology when it was offered to me."