Air NZ sacks staff for inappropriate internet use

Air New Zealand has sacked eight staff and is investigating many others. Picture / Dean Purcell

Internet abuse may cost up to 100 Air New Zealand staff their jobs.

The company has confirmed eight staff have already been sacked for accessing inappropriate internet sites on the airline's computer system and said other sackings may follow.

Air New Zealand spokesman Glen Sowry could not confirm the number under investigation but it was reported today the figure could be up to 100.

He said the dismissals were for inappropriate use of the internet but would not confirm the staff were looking at porn sites.

He said in spite of allegations, all staff had access to the company policy on inappropriate use of the internet.

"It is something that is clearly communicated at various stages."

He said it was also common sense that objectionable sites should not be accessed on company computers.

He said there was no connection between the sackings and voluntary redundancy and the eight were not sacked to make up numbers the airline had wanted to reduce staff levels.

"I can categorically state that the two are completely unrelated," he said.

- NZPA