Domestic passengers happy to travel with photo ID

By STUART DYE

Travellers who leave home without identification can no longer board Air New Zealand domestic flights as tougher security measures come into effect.

Last month, the company announced that passengers were being asked to present a photo ID, such as a driver's licence, passport, student ID or company ID, before boarding a domestic flight. The measure was not compulsory until today, when a one-month grace period elapsed.

At the domestic terminal yesterday, passengers said they approved of the move. They had been told of the requirement when booking tickets.

Check-in staff said they expected no problems. During the grace period the "vast majority" of people had brought relevant identification.

A spokeswoman for the airline said the move aimed to bring Air New Zealand into line with most Australasian carriers.

She said the measure would ensure that the person using the ticket was the person it was issued to.

"We believe it's security for the customer," she said.

There will be no change to the process for people using the electronic ExpressCheck kiosks.

Infants and children up to 11 years old will not need ID, but a parent or guardian will be required to verify their identity and that of travellers aged from 12 to 17.