Air NZ defends disabled passengers policy

Air New Zealand has defended its longstanding policy requiring international passengers to be accompanied by a support person if they need to be lifted in and out of their seats.

This follows a report today that Christchurch tetraplegic Alan Pullar would have to pay thousands of dollars for an in-flight carer on an Air New Zealand flight to the United States next month to see his daughter graduate from a US university.

Mr Pullar, who broke his neck in a rugby scrum when he was 20, told The Press he had flown with other airlines without incident. Airline staff or airport firefighters were arranged to lift him into his seat as his wheelchair was too wide for plane aisles. He did not need toilet facilities or extra help once in his seat.

But Air New Zealand and Qantas did not provide such a service.

Air New Zealand spokesman Mark Street said the airline's special assistance policy for lifting passengers with disabilities had been in place for five years and was introduced to minimise the risk of injury to staff and customers.

Passengers used to be called upon to help out and the rate of staff back injury was quite high as a result of lifting passengers with disabilities.

Air New Zealand provided an onboard "skychair" - a wheelchair that fits within narrow aircraft aisles - for international services.

- NZPA