Originally Posted by
Often1
What is most embarrassing is that NZ citizens have to look to a US agency for protection for tickets paid for in NZ on a NZ carrier. The failure of NZ to protect its own is the unfair part and it must be remembered that it is only those who had tickets to or from the US or from the EU who have this protection.
Pardon? Don't think to speak on behalf of New Zealand citizens, especially if you are not one. New Zealand is its own sovereign state and the government passes legislation for New Zealand as it sees fit. The government is also a majority shareholder in Air New Zealand. If Air New Zealand's refund policy was so abhorrent to taxpayers then there are mechanisms for it to be addressed and the law to change.
The USA and EU have such laws in place because they are significantly larger markets and experience significantly more delays and flight cancellations than [Air] New Zealand. A once in 100 year global pandemic is not necessarily justification to introduce laws demanding Air New Zealand and other airlines operation here refund in this and that situation. If anything, it is likely it would happen in conjunction with Australia.