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Air New Zealand hosts Future of Flight event with NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

The reconnection of Aussies and Kiwis was the central theme for the Air New Zealand event held in Sydney last night, attended by special guest New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and a host of dignitaries and select travel trade partners.

The reconnection of Aussies and Kiwis was the central theme for the Air New Zealand event held in Sydney last night, attended by special guest New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and a host of dignitaries and select travel trade partners.

Attendees celebrated the physical resumption of Australia and New Zealand’s close relationship with canapes and Air NZ’s signature cocktail, the Kiwitini, as Ms Ardern spoke about the importance of connection for New Zealanders and how the national airline keeps the country linked to the world.

“We are at the bottom of the world but we pride ourselves on being linked and well-connected to the rest of the world and we do that primarily – physically – through our national airline and Air New Zealand does it so well,” Ms Ardern said.

Air NZ event Jacinda Ardern 1
The Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand.

“We know reconnection is incredibly important and we’re all working very hard to make sure the world knows we are open and that it’s easy to come and visit us now, so the removal of pre-departure testing was that important final step.

“Air New Zealand has always excelled at giving the Kiwi experience, that sense of hospitality and manaakitanga from the moment guests enter, regardless of where they are seated on the plane.”

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Belinda Murphy (Helloworld), Julie Primmer (Helloworld), Leanne Geraghty (Air NZ) and Dean Long (AFTA).

CEO Greg Foran and Chief Customer & Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty shared insights into the future of flight at Air New Zealand, including last week’s launch of the game-changing new cabin experience for long-haul services and wide-body aircraft.

“We’ve heard loud and clear from our customers that what they value most are comfort and privacy,”
Ms Geraghty said.

Air NZ event close trio
Nick Guthrey (ANZCRO), Kathryn Robertson (Air NZ) and Natarsha McElwain (Expedia).

“Our teams have been working really hard to innovate from nose to tail to deliver and we’re thrilled to have introduced new products so no matter where you are on our aircraft when the new product is in place, you have the option to lie flat and sleep.”

Mr Foran reaffirmed Australia’s pivotal importance to New Zealand, with the airline’s Australian ports now operating at 75 per cent capacity.

Air NZ event large group
NZ flight attendant, Greg Foran (Air NZ), NZ flight attendant, Leanne Geraghty (Air NZ), Michael Zorbas (Air NZ), Kathryn Robertson (Air NZ) and Dani Tuffield (KarryOn).

“We have a pretty clear purpose, which is reconnecting Kiwis with each other and the rest of the world.”

“It takes a bit to get an airline back up and running, but we’re doing it and we have some exciting new products to excite our customers.”

To find out more, head to airnewzealand.com.au