Channel 3 Newshub is reporting that Air New Zealand expects to keep their entire Boeing 777 fleet grounded until April 2021.
According to documents acquired by the broadcaster, Air New Zealand has opted to lay-off their entire Boeing 777 workforce; as well as making large cuts to employees working onboard the 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Air New Zealand has told employees that the return of travel demand will be slow, the Boeing 777’s operation cannot be justified until at least April 2021.
“Based on our forecasted schedule over the next 12 months which includes significantly reduced international travel, we are proposing a reduction of 950 wide-body cabin crew roles,”
Air New Zealand (obtained by AirlinerWatch)
Summary of Job Cuts
| Position | Current Employees | Number to be Laid-Off |
| Flight Service Manager | 98 | 98 (All) |
| Inflight Service Coordinator | 79 | 79 (All) |
| Pacific Class Cabin Crew | 316 | 316 (All) |
| Flight Attendant | 514 | 71 |
| Inflight Service Manager | 87 | 17 |
| Flight Attendant Premium Services | 367 | 367 (All) |
| Deputy Service Manager | 72 | 2 |
Table Source: Channel 3 Newshub
Air New Zealand’s Cheif Revenue Officer, Cam Wallace, said that the airline is experiencing a dramatic drop in travel demand.
In a message to crews, senior airline management said that the cost of maintaining employment contracts of “such significant numbers of surplus crew” is not viable.
SamChui.com has contacted Air New Zealand for comment.
Article Sources: Channel 3 Newshub and AirlinerWatch.