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Air New Zealand since March of this year has assisted Governments around the world in repatriating more than 7,100 stranded passengers due to COVID-19 complications and travel restrictions.

Charter flights were being operated to bring Kiwis home from Wuhan, Mumbai and Delhi. 12 other charter flights were operating on behalf of the German Government to repatriate its citizens from New Zealand to Frankfurt on charter flights from Sydney and Hong Kong.

Other flights allow passengers to connect on to the Netherlands, repatriation of Korean nationals from New Zealand to Seoul.

Samoan passengers were returned to Apia from New Zealand and Sydney all possible by Air New Zealand working with Governments around the world.

Air New Zealand Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer David Morgan say they made an operational effort to make the flights happen within such short notice.

“The safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft is always our number one priority, and these charter flights were incredibly complex to organise,” he said.

“Our teams assessed new route and airport operations, including air service rights and country overflight approvals. In particular, we ensured new destinations were sufficiently equipped with facilities for aircraft and passenger handling, the availability of appropriate navigation aids, runway compatibility, border facilities, and fuel and engineering support availability.

“Our aircrew trained in simulators to practice landing in a new airport and were well equipped to operate these very special flights.”

Air New Zealand focused on staff's professionalism and expertise to conquer the flights, making them successful in helping Governments worldwide.

Image: SUPPLIED/pixabay

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