Flight crew seats eyed

Press, 4 May 1978, Page 6

Flight crew seats eyed

P.v

LES BLOXHAM,

travel editor

The existing rights that allow Air New Zealand crew members to displace first-class passengers will be closely examined by the airline's management. Mr M. R. Davis, chief executive of the airline, confirmed last evening that the issue had been discussed at length at the meeting of the Air New Zealand board in Christchurch yesterdav Four first-class passengers on the airline were told at Nandi last month that their seats were required by crew and that they would be reallocated seats in the economy section. The passengers refused to accept the alternative, left the aircraft, and publicly vowed never ’o travel with the airline again. Although off duty, rhe i. tied" to take over another flignt and were act-

ing in accordance with an agreement between their union and the airline. Mr Davis said yesterday he regretted that “such a situation had occurred.” He believed the associated publicity had had an acfverse effect on the company. Negotiations would be held with the union in an attempt to avoid a recurrence. Asked whether the airline would take a stand on the Fiji Government's decision to terminate its landing rights at Nandi, Mr Davis said he believed the issue would be resolved before the deadline of 12 months. “The way is open for dialogue between the parties concerned and although we are now losing about SI 5M on the Fiji service, we would not like to see the link broken," he said.