Mike Hosking talks to Jacinda Ardern about Coronavirus on Mike Hosking Breakfast. Video / Newstalk ZB
Air New Zealand is pleading with no-show customers to cancel bookings so their seats can be used by desperate Kiwis trying to get home before tomorrow night's lockdown.
Thousands of New Zealanders stranded around the country are in a desperate race against time to get home before sweeping measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 come into force at 11.59pm on Wednesday.
They are already choking airports amid a scramble for last-minute flights.
The country's national carrier says it is adding extra capacity to the network, including putting on wide-body jets on some domestic routes.
Air New Zealand is also pleading for "no show" customers to cancel their flights to free up seats for those Kiwis who are trying to reach loved ones before the window of opportunity closes.
"This will allow New Zealanders seeking to return home to do so prior to the country moving to alert level 4," an airline spokesman said
We have put larger planes on some routes tonight and are doing the same tomorrow, we ask that customers who don’t attend to travel, please cancel your bookings. No show rates are high and capacity is down due to the distancing profile of flights. @FlyAirNZ@andykirton
The Government announced yesterday that New Zealanders would be forced into four weeks of isolation from 11.59pm on Wednesday in an attempt to stop the deadly spread of Covid19.
The unprecedented measures include limiting all non-essential domestic travel and a complete shut down of all non-essential services like restaurants, bars, cafes, gyms, movie theatres and libraries.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern urged Kiwis to "go home", telling citizens if they were in a different part of the country they should make immediate arrangements to return.
One Kiwi traveller trying to depart Christchurch for his home in Tauranga says thousands of people jammed Christchurch Airport terminal yesterday in a confused bid to get home.
Phil Pigneri wrote: "Thousands of people at the Chch airport waiting in lines, violating distance rules, only to be told; 'I can't help you'. No planes are flying but Govt says 'get home'. Yea right! We are scheduled to fly on Thursday. We're praying for some kind of response from Air NZ."
Speaking to the Herald today, Pigneri, who works in religious ministry, said the airport was "a mad house", describing scenes of utter confusion and frustration.
He and his wife were visiting their daughter in Christchurch. They were currently booked to return home on Thursday, after the lockdown deadline kicks in.
He visited the airport twice yesterday in a bid to change their flights after being unable to reach anyone on the Air NZ helpline.
He believed physical distancing on planes meant the airline could not fill planes.
"We're relying on Air New Zealand to do what they say they're going to do, which is put on more planes.
"We're trusting the Lord in all of this. We're not panicking. It's a little confusing and frustrating."
Despite Air NZ's plea for customers not intending to fly to cancel their bookings, this is proving difficult for some air travellers.
Dave Greenberg wrote on Twitter: I tried to cancel my flights today, but couldn't manage via app because it was through govt dept travel agent. Understandably couldn't get through to them or Air NZ call centre. Anyway to let the apps take a cancel no matter how booked?"
Not sure you change things Cam, but I tried to cancel my flights today, but couldn’t manage via app because it was through govt dept travel agent. Understandably Couldn’t get through to them or Air NZ call centre. Any way to let the apps take a cancel no matter how booked?
Another woman was desperate for information on how her children could get home.
"Can you please advise if my young people will be permitted to fly home from uni - Dunedin to Wellington on Friday on already booked flights?"
Cam, can you please advise if my young people will be permitted to fly home from uni - Dunedin to Wellington on Friday on already booked flights?
— Anna - Never Stop Learning (@wellywoodanna) March 23, 2020
Though the lockdown comes into force at midnight tomorrow, the Government has indicated there will be allowances for people not able to meet the deadline. Anyone who is unsure should call the Covid-19 information helpline on 0800 779 997 to let them know their circumstances and get advice.
ALERT_STAGES
Auckland Airports website has the following information for travellers:
"Passengers can still fly domestically until the Government's Covid-19 alert status shifts to Level 4, at 11.59pm on Wednesday.
"After this point, only travel undertaken for essential services will be permitted for domestic flights.
"Passengers are directed to contact their airline for details on whether their journey fits this description. Domestic flights for freight will also continue."
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