Airline staff sacked over internet porn

Eight Air New Zealand staff have been sacked for using work computers to access internet porn sites.

Up to 100 more staff are being investigated but it is understood they are unlikely to be sacked and the eight were deemed the ringleaders.

The airline had earlier refused to confirm the sacked staff had been looking at porn sites but chief executive Ralph Norris has now said pornography was a factor.

They had seriously breached Air New Zealand's internet policy and had to go, he said.

"We believed it was serious. We have all the logs, we know the sites of all concerned.

"We were on strong ground and we had legal advice. Some have been on the fringes.

"Some people have e-mailed objectionable mail to other people. We don't see them as being complicit."

Some airline staff had told him it was time someone took a tough line on the issue.

Air New Zealand spokesman Glen Sowry said yesterday that the activities were still being investigated. He said other staff not involved were understanding and accepting.

"It is something that is very clearly understood within the staff," he said.

He said even if staff did not have access to the airline's internet policy, which was highly unlikely, common sense should prevail.

- NZPA