Air New Zealand

Press, 21 October 1980, Page 20

Air New Zealand

Sir, — If Air New Zealand is to surmount its problems, the chairman, Mr C. W. Mace, must have the support of politicians and staff. The former should abandon vote-catching criticism; the latter, particularly overseas aircrew, relativity and jurisdictional disputes. The public are tired of complaints on working conditions from highly paid and pampered men with so little concern for the community or their employer. This once successful company is struggling. That it is still well regarded in international travel circles is borne out by the July, 1980 edition of the United States publication, “Travel Holiday.” The national travel poll placed Air New Zealand first in the foreign airlines, Swissair second, Japan Air Lines; third, SAS/Scandinavian, fourth, then Lufthansa, Air Canada, KLM, Air France, and British Airways and Pam-Am, equal ninth. A note said that while the number of readers flying Air New Zealand was relatively small, an astounding 76 per cent rated their flight as excellent. — Yours, etc., RALPH THOMPSON. October 6, 1980.

[A letter under this heading yesterday from Peter R. Hawes suggested that Air New Zealand’s five new Boeings would cost $9OO million. They will in fact, cost $320 million. —Editor]