After the rush ends, Auckland Airport will be as quiet as it was during the last level 4 lockdown. Photo /Sylvie Whinray
After the rush ends, Auckland Airport will be as quiet as it was during the last level 4 lockdown. Photo /Sylvie Whinray
After the scramble by airlines to get travellers home ends later today, Air New Zealand has slashed its schedule to cater for only essential workers and move freight.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced this afternoon the rest of the country will with Auckland and the Coromandel remain at alert level4 until midnight on Tuesday, meaning airport terminals around New Zealand will be near-empty.
While the limited number of international services are unaffected, Auckland Airport said from today there would be severely reduced domestic flight services, and travellers would only be permitted to fly for essential travel.
In the depths of the first nationwide lockdown in March and April last year there were just a handful of domestic flights a day which had very light passenger loads.
Anna Cassels-Brown, general manager of operations at Auckland Airport, said 63 domestic flights expected today mark a 78 per cent drop compared with last Friday, when there were 288 domestic flights.
"While there will be fewer flights and passengers, anyone who is flying needs to make sure they allow enough time to get to their flight and that they are ready to follow all public health protocols,'' she said.
Air New Zealand has updated its schedule which will fall to a fraction of its normal schedule.
While there was a 24-hour extension to get people home under its strict level 4 schedule, Air New Zealand from tomorrow will operate just 15 return services on its network for the following four days serving Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Nelson.
Wellington-Christchurch, Wellington-Nelson and Christchurch-Dunedin frequencies fall to one return service a day.
Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran says Air New Zealand supports the Government's decision and is playing its part in helping to limit the spread of COVID-19.
"Right now, it's our priority to protect our staff, customers and New Zealand. We will be running a reduced schedule for the next four days to ensure essential workers and cargo can move around the country. We'll then reassess our schedule in line with any further Government decisions,'' he said.
"We have weathered this storm before and when Aotearoa is ready to travel again, we'll be here.''
Customers who are booked to travel during Alert Level 4 do not need to do anything. They will receive a cancellation email, and their booking will be held in credit. Customers will have 12 months from the day their credit is processed to book a flight, and another 12 months to travel. Those who have booked through a third party will need to contact their agent.
Those who need to travel while the country is at Alert Level 4 should check their eligibility on the Government's COVID-19 website. Customers who meet the criteria and still wish to travel should call the Air New Zealand Contact Centre. Customers will also need to carry a letter to prove they are travelling for essential purposes.
Passengers returning from Rarotonga over the Alert Level 4 period will be accommodated and arrangements will be made to allow them to travel home.
Auckland Airport said rules are in place regarding wearing face coverings and social distancing, and it wants all customers to scan the Covid tracer app in and around domestic and international terminals.
"With food and beverage operators closed, travellers should make sure they have any provisions they'll need for their journey," Cassels-Brown said.
Auckland Airport's guidelines for a safe journey at alert level 4:
• Passengers will need to show confirmation of a ticket to fly before they enter the terminal. If you need assistance to catch your flight, one support person will be able to enter the terminal building with you.
• Masks or face coverings must be worn inside the terminal. Children under 12 are exempt as are people with certain medical conditions.
• Bring your travel itinerary and other documents as you may be asked about your reason for travel. Under level 4 only essential travel is allowed, and the Government encourages people to carry proof of their reason for travel.
• There are reminders in place throughout the terminal about maintaining physical distancing. Government guidelines require 1m social distancing inside the terminals and 2m social distancing in other public areas
The airport also advises the Park & Ride service is closed and the SkyBus service from the central city has been suspended until further notice.
The inter-terminal bus will continue to operate between the two terminals until further notice and taxis and rideshare services are available to and from the airport.
