Air NZ chief impressed by Tauranga student

A Tauranga college student, Alice McFall, had an idea for developing a smart-phone application that gives up-to-the-minute information on aircraft arrivals and departures - and Air New Zealand has taken it on board.
"It's very frustrating for us driving from Tauranga to Auckland for an international flight and finding it delayed an hour or so. You could stop somewhere along the way instead of being stuck at the airport," said Alice, 16, a Year 11 student at Aquinas College.
As a result of her idea, Alice was one of 10 students countrywide chosen to attend Air New Zealand's CEO for the Day programme in Auckland.
She was the only student from Western Bay, and last Thursday met Air New Zealand boss Rob Fyfe and his senior managers, and visited the airline's product development centre, head office and the engineering base near Auckland Airport.
"I have always been interested in travel and tourism, and spending a day finding out how Air New Zealand works was amazing. Rob Fyfe is an inspirational leader; he's a people's person," said Alice, who suggested the latest information on passenger flights could be applied to the latest 3G iPhones and android phone.
The information would include flight status, choosing a meal preflight, maps of major airports, and an internet link to a guide to different destinations/cities.
"The app can tell you how long the flight is delayed and, if it is cancelled, provide the alternative travel solutions," Alice said. "Often, when you are sitting at the back of the plane on a long-haul flight, one or two of the food options are gone by the time they get to you. If you can choose an option beforehand, then everyone gets the food they want.
"The maps can tell you where to find the gates with ease, the taxis and the duty free shopping. And when you arrive at a destination, you have information about where to go and what to do. All this on your mobile phone."
Mr Fyfe told Alice that Air New Zealand was very keen to take up her idea. The new service would also be used by the Star Alliance network of Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Air China, Air India and Air Canada.
"No, I don't expect any payment. Just spending a day with Rob Fyfe and Air New Zealand was plenty enough. I would aspire to be a leader like him. When we walked around, Rob knew the names of all his employees, from the executives to the receptionists.
"Once a month, he does a job on the frontline, whether it's flying with the pilot, or helping the cleaners and air hostesses. I think that's great," Alice said.
Air New Zealand employs nearly 11,000 people and flies more than 12 million passengers around the world every year.
Alice talked to Mr Fyfe about leadership qualities and tertiary education. She also checked out the cockpit of a Boeing 777-200 which was in for servicing.
"They were pulling everything apart, and when you stand under the engines you realise how big they are. It was rather mind-blowing," she said.
Alice is spending two more years at Aquinas then will attend university, studying commerce, psychology and communications.
Yesterday, she was back at one of her sporting pursuits, finishing sixth in the national under-16 girls duathlon at Taupo. She is also a Bay of Plenty netball and athletics age group representative, and won the Western Bay under-16 cross-country championship last year.